In her book, God’s Promises For Every Woman, bestselling author, Elizabeth George says this of the rod and staff in Psalm 23, “while the valley of darkness is one of God’s paths, the trip through the valley is not very pleasant. It is a course of constant danger. There are crags and stones. There are extremes of cold and heat. There are desert and steep mountain trails. There are poisonous snakes there. There are vicious animals there.”

But then she explains that we can take comfort. “God, our Shepherd is armed! Therefore as His darling sheep we need never fear, whether by day or night. Why? Because two distinct implements are in the Shepherd’s hand and they bring comfort to our hearts.”

The rod was an instrument most often made of oak and about two feet long. It was used to defend defenseless sheep by beating off eagles, snakes, wild animals, mountain lions, bears and more.

The staff is the familiar crooked walking stick that for centuries has been used as an instrument of guidance and restraint. The crook can be used to keep a sheep from falling.

Take comfort in our Shepherd’s guidance and strength. He will protect and help you just as a shepherd does for his sheep.