Psalm 23:4b

Your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

 

I don't know about you, but "rod and staff" don't strike me as comforting.  When I am afraid or in need of comfort, what I want is  someone by my side who knows how to accurately shoot a rifle, a place to hide, and a big pile of chocolate. The psalmist prefers a rod and staff.....
Since these two items don't appear on my top 10 list of comfort-providers, the problem could lie in my not understanding what they are and how they are used (ya think???).   A rod and a staff were the instruments of choice for primitive shepherds.  The reference to these two items would have struck a very familiar cord with the earliest audience of this psalm.  Modern readers need a little bit of explanation to understand. Let's explore that...

 

The "rod" was the primary means of protection for the shepherd and his flock. It was a long, sturdy stick that the shepherd had selected and crafted to fit him perfectly.  One source that I consulted says "the rod, in fact, was an extension of the owner's own right arm.  It stood as a symbol of his strength, his power, and his authority in any serious situation." With the rod, the shepherd could club would-be predators to death.  We can recall from Bible stories how David the shepherd-boy killed ferocious animals to protect his sheep.  His rod would have been his ally.  Interesting to note that "rod" is a slang term applied in modern times to the pistols carried by cowboys!

Other than protection, the rod could be used for discipline.  I learned, though, that the primary disciplinary use was not to club the wayward sheep.  Instead, "if the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away from its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch."

One final mention of how the rod was used by the shepherd was to count and examine the sheep.  The rod would be held out and laid onto each sheep, one by one.  This gave the shepherd the chance not only to account for each sheep but also to carefully examine them for disease, defects, or wounds.  A conscientious shepherd would use the rod to open the fleece with his rod, scrutinizing the condition of the skin, looking for parasites or open wounds. 

Protection from predators, sounding an alarm of danger, providing close inspection for detecting problems -- in these ways, the rod would indeed be a source of comfort to a sheep.

What about the staff?  Perhaps no other piece of equipment identifies one as a shepherd more than a staff. That long, slender stick with the crook on one end.  Think of all the Christmas pagaents - the shepherds had to have a staff so we would know they were shepherds!  A shepherd's staff is designed and shaped especially for the needs of sheep, not for cattle or horses or other animals.

Here's how a shepherd utilizes his staff...
1.  To reach out and "catch" individual sheep and draw them close to himself for examination.  Little lambs or timid sheep often keep their distance from the shepherd but he can use his staff to pull them in close.
2.  To guide sheep, such as through a gate or along a difficult path.  The shepherd doesn't use it to beat the sheep but rather to gently pressure it into the direction it needs to go.
3.  To rescue sheep.  Sometimes sheep get themselves into places where only a staff can reach. The shepherd can manipulate his staff into crevices, amidst entanglements, along precipices or even into water so as to rescue the sheep and set it back on safe ground.

4.  To draw sheep into intimate relationships with another.  If a newborn lamb becomes parted from its mother, the shepherd uses the staff to bring them together rather than putting the scent of his hands on the little lamb and risk rejection by the mother.

 

While the rod is an instrument primarily of protection, the staff is mostly an instrument of compassion and care.

 

Now I can understand why the writer of Psalm 23 proclaims that the "rod and staff" of the Good Shepherd are a source of comfort.  We are protected by the strength and power of the Lord.  He guards us against the Enemy of our souls and provides us with His Word as our weapon against this Defeated One.  Likewise, through His Word He warns us of dangerous thoughts, habits, actions so as to prevent our falling into harm's way.  And, finally, He exhorts us to use His living and active Word to examine our hearts and lives...His Word which is sharper than any two edged sword and is able to pierce even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, discerning the very thoughts and intentions of our heart. Comfort, yes, in being protected by enemies without...and within.

 

We are comforted, too, by the compassion of His staff.  Sometimes His Word acts like a staff, pulling us close to the Shepherd so He can examine our hearts and ways for things that would hurt us.  Other times we need His Word to guide us, to gentle press us when we are headed in the wrong direction and then show us which way we should go. And many many times, His Word is a source of comfort to help us reconcile relationships, healing our wounds, and restoring us to fellowship with one another and with Him.

Like David, I can surely say, "Thank you, Lord; Your rod and staff, they comfort me."  Amen 

Psalm 23:4a

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;


There are lots of things to unpack in this passage.  Let's get started...

Notice first that the psalmist changes from speaking about  the Lord as his shepherd to speaking to
Him.  Perhaps the truth conveyed there is that when we are personally acquainted with our Shepherd, we can't go long talking about Him without soon talking to Him! Haven't you found that to be true in your life?  So many times I will be having a conversation with a friend about Jesus and, before long, I burst into spontaneous prayer, praising Him or thanking Him or just including Him in our chat.  That may be what the psalmist is doing here.  Or it may be that the topic, the valley of the shadow of death, requires a more intimate approach.  The psalmist is responding to the need to have close and direct communication with the Shepherd when walking through the valley.

Next, what are the valleys that shepherds traverse and why? In hill country, where sheep are most common, mountaintops often offer the best grazing land.  Getting to those spots requires taking routes through deep ravines and valleys.  These places are often narrow and dark, shaded by rocks and crags.  It is a difficult journey to pass this way but these paths are often the most well-watered routes, the gentlest grade (which makes for better climbing), and provide choice grazing spots along the way.

What about the "shadow of death" reference?   Valleys are usually flanked by cliffs on either side, which prevents the sun from reaching there except for a few brief hours.  This creates a  cold and gloomy atmosphere of shadows.  In the shadows and darkness, it is easy for predators(bears, wolves, coyotes, etc) to hide and wait for a sheep to stray off from its shepherd. Other dangers such as rock slides, mud or snow avalanches are more catastrophic in a valley than in an open field because there is no way of escape.  Thus,for the shepherd, "shadows" and "death" are linked with the paths through valleys.

Yet, in the face of such gloom and danger, the psalmist says he doesn't fear...because the Shepherd is with him.  Through these valleys, these paths to the mountaintop, the sheep are cared for vigilantly, protected with the shepherd's very life.  A good shepherd is aware of the potential danger and keeps constant watch over each member of his flock.  So it is with our Good Shepherd....

Every life has valleys. And in those valleys, there is the threat of evil.  Lots of different kinds.  Sometimes evil comes in the form of rejection or discouragment or depression.  Other times it appears as condemnation or even physical danger.  Yes, most of the time, the presence of evil lurks in these valleys. Sometimes we get in these valleys through our own errant wanderings but other times, the Shepherd leads us right into them on purpose....and with purpose.  He wants to get us to the mountaintop. And the valley, though seeming gloomy and dangerous, is full of the choicest grazing spots and the best water sources.  It is in the valleys - not just through them--that we have the closest intimacy with the Shepherd, the best access to Him as our source of Living Water and Bread of Life.  The most valuable treasures are those that are hidden in the cold shadows.  Unless we go there, we never obtain them.

During one such "valley season" of my own, the Lord gave me a Truth that was of great comfort to me, provided some answers for me.  In this time, I felt so alone.  I wanted friends to minister to me but it seemed as though they either didn't understand or perhaps didn't care.  This deepened the valley.  It was during this time that He spoke to me with this: "The path through the valley of suffering is ultimately single file".  He taught me that He intends for the valleys to be so narrow in certain points that no one can walk beside us.  While we are called to bear one another's burdens and to care for each other sacrifically, what He requires ultimately is that we learn to lean not on others but only on Him.  When we get to the tightest spots in our valley, no friend can pass through with us - we walk single file behind the Shepherd, holding tight to His hand....or He gathers us up in His arms and carries us Himself.

Yes, there are shadows in the valley.  It is rocky and narrow and difficult.  And there are ever-present dangers there.  But if we let those shadows and difficulties and dangers press us close to the Shepherd, we will have good grazing, fresh water, and intimate security.  And, for those of us in Christ, we do not fear evil in any form, even  Death.  It is only a Shadow because it has no hope of victory in our lives.  We have Eternal Life.

You may be in a valley right now.  It is my prayer that you will trust the choice of the Good Shepherd to lead you to it, in it, and through it.  Don't miss what He has for you in this valley.  Cling to His Hand and know that, even in the valley of the shadow of death, you need fear no evil...He is with you.

Trusting Dad

The X-rays clearly showed the finger hadn't healed.  The fracture was still there.  The look of pain on my son's face was not the result of the injury sustained.  It came when the verdict of "six more weeks to heal" was shared.  In the first week of basketball season.  The doctor seemed uncomfortable that I cried.  But he had no way of knowing about the weeks of preparation leading up to the season.  The quickness drills.  The hours of shooting hoops.  The hopes for success.  All hinging on those black and white picutres lying on the table. 

Then came the promise that the hand therapist would try to make a splint that would enable him to play.  Hope restored.  Then foreboding words of caution about what could happen if it didn't heal properly.  If it got hit by a ball or a player or a stumble.  I felt faint.  And still teary.

But the same determination that persisted through the quickness drills rebounded in optimism.  "I can play, Mom.  This splint will work great.  It's very protective." (Oh?  And how many years have you studied distal interphalangeal fractures???)  I wasn't so sure.  Not that the therapist didn't produce a great splint.  Not at all.  She did a wonderful job.  But all the warnings and shrugs of "we'll leave it up to you as to whether he can play...and when" left me shaky. 

So I did what every red-blooded, strong-minded, capable Mother would do in this situation.  I told him we'd have to ask Dad.

He went on to practice in the meantime, promising extreme care.  (right)  I finally reached Dad.  Who wasn't shaky or faint or teary in the least.  Absolute confidence - NO PLAY until the next set of x rays.  I didn't protest.  I knew he was right. 

But I still had to inform my point guard.  My starting point guard who had practiced on his own all summer. 

He came in sweaty and smiling.  "feels good to be back on the court".  I had a good supper ready.  Food helps everything, ya know. 

I delivered the verdict.  Dad said no.  And I agree.

God frequently speaks to me through my children.  This was one of those times.

My almost 6 feet tall little boy took the news like a man.  Like a man who trusts his dad...and his Father. No whining.  No arguing.  No pity party.

He trusts that his earthly Dad will always act in his best interest.  He will always do what's going to produce good for him.

Just like his Heavenly Dad.  And mine.  I hope when I am delivered crushing news that I will trust my Dad like Chip does his.

Psalm 23:3b

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

The position of "shepherd" was a lowly one.  It was not one that people looked up to, aspired to, nor admired.  Even in this humble spot, though, a shepherd took pride in the health and appearance of his flock.  He didn't want sickly, weak, feeble sheep that would prove detrimental to his reputation.

So, what does it mean that he leads us in paths of righteouness for his name's sake?
First, let's look at "paths".  The route to grazing places were often difficult for the sheep and these paths needed to have adequate food and water. A shepherd needs to find not only good grazing places but also good routes to get to these places.  Sheep, if left to themselves, will follow the same path until it becomes a rut.  The path becomes not only void of grass to eat but also polluted with disease and parasites.  Sheep cannot be left to themselves - they require more handling and supervision than any other livestock. The shepherd must keep his flock on the move, shifting periodically from pasture to pasture.  This protects not only the sheep but also the landscape!  Such careful direction prevents overgrazing of the land and parasite infestation of the sheep.

 

So, a good shepherd is careful to take great care of his sheep. Not only because he cares about them but also because the welfare of his flock says alot about the kind of shepherd he is.  Therefore, he expends all his energy in keeping them safe, making sure they were well-fed and sufficiently watered, protecting them from not only external dangers but also from their own dumb mistakes.

So it is with our Good Shepherd.  He shows us how to live successfully ("walk in paths of righteousness").  The paths of righteouness ("right living") are not to restrict us from having fun- in fact, the complete opposite is true!  The paths our Shepherd directs us to lead to blessing and fullness of joy!  Walking His way keeps us from being slaughtered by the Enemy of our souls, keeps us from feasting on things that look good to us but are actually sources of poison and destruction.  I have found the primary source of such leading is through His Word. It is there that He teaches us the principles we need to live victoriously in this life.  Principles about finance, marriage, parenting, work, decision making, reconciliation, restoring our souls. 

We need to walk in the paths of righteousness because, otherwise, we get our selves in messes through UNrighteousness.  Notice that this phrase follows "He restores my soul".  The way to restoration is via the paths of righteouness.

Two final thoughts about "paths of righteouness".  First, I need reminding frequently that MY righteouness is unacceptable, ineffective for soul-restoration. My efforts to make myself happy or whole or good flat out do not produce the benefits I am striving for.  God actually describes the best I can do or be as "filthy rags".  Ugh.  I need, instead, the righteouness of Christ living in me and working through me.  That's what restores me to wholeness, brings beauty out of ashes, sets me in the place of victory.

Finally, we must remember that our restoration, the process of His righteouness working in our lives to produce right-living is not merely for our joy.  It is first and foremost for His glory, for HIS NAME'S SAKE.  He has chosen to entrust to us - His fallible, dumb, errant....and treasured...sheep - His reputation in the world.  Our lives are a reflection of Who He Is.  He leads us in paths of righteouness....for HIS NAME'S SAKE.

Psalm 23:3a

He restore my soul

Notice how the psalmist has switched from the imagery of a sheep (green pastures, still waters) to that of a person in need.  A soul in need of restoration.  A soul that has been worn out, messed up, marred, incapacitated.  The Shepherd restores it.  Let's unpack this passage....

In researching sheep, I learned where the term "cast down" comes from.  You know how we use that phrase to desribe someone whose expression is sad or dejected?  "Her face was 'cast down' ".  Or we use it when referring to an action of getting rid of something we no longer want - "a castaway".  Sheep can find themselves in a "cast" position.  Now, don't think I am saying "in a cast" - we're not talking broken limbs here!  A "cast" position means that the sheep has somehow gotten itself on its back, four legs in the air....and it is unable to right itself.  It will flail and bleat and try to wiggle but it cannot get back on its feet. This kind of activity actually exacerbates the situation! A cast sheep is not only easy prey for wolves and coyotes, it can also starve to death flat on its back. Unless the shepherd intervenes, the sheep will die in that position because it alone cannot restore itself to standing upright.

That is apparently what David had in mind when he penned this phrase.  Surely he had repeatedly been the one to find a sheep "cast" and then pulled and pushed til he got it right side up.  And he knew what it felt like, in his own life, to be on his back, unable to get up, and in need of the Good Shepherd to restore him to the right position.  The Lord restores our souls.

How does a sheep get cast?  It seems there are three general areas that get sheep into trouble.  First, being too fat.  A fat sheep can meander down into a comfy little hollow to lie down.  It might then stretch out and turn slightly on one side to relax.  Its body's center of gravity can then shift so that its feet are no longer touching the ground.  This probably generates a sense of panic so that the sheep paws its legs in the air.  Such action, of course, only makes things worse.  This causes the sheep to roll over even further until it is on its back....cast. Its fat belly makes it impossible to get upright.

Another way sheep get cast is by stepping off the path and into a hole or crevice.  This causes them to lose their balance and they cannot easily regain equilibrium. 

One other factor that seems to contribute to a sheep being cast is having too much wool. When its fleece becomes too long, it will easily get matted with mud, brush, and other debris.  This extra weight weighs down the sheep, just like extra fat, making it unable to move as easily.

Thus, the shepherd is constantly watching out for ways to guard against his sheep being vulnerable to being cast.  He sees to it that they don't gorge themselves too much; he keeps them on safe paths; he shears them not only for the benefit of having wool but also for the good of the sheep.  He knows, however, that sheep are going to get cast so he is always counting his sheep, making sure they are all with him.  If he misses one, he goes out searching for a downcast sheep that needs his help getting upright again.

I am sure you see the parallels to us as Jesus's sheep.  We, too, can become downcast through defeat or discouragement or daily cares.  In spite of how much we bleat and flail our legs, we cannot get ourselves upright.  No matter how much we think we can.  We need Him to pick us up.  To put us on the right path.  To get us to good pasture.  To get rid of our excess wool.  Because downcast sheep are easy targets for predators.

I am typing through tears, remembering times I have been rescued by the Shepherd.  I have been incapacitated, fearful, helpless, easy prey.  Through no effort of my own, He found me.  Picked me up and soothed my fears.  Set me back on my feet. Helped me get back to where I needed to be. Helped me be closer to who He wants me to be.

He restores my soul.