Daily Reflections, Saturday, May 23, 2009

Today's Scripture: Psalm 23

Elizabeth George did extensive research on the shepherd and the sheep in her book, God’s Promises For Every Woman. Psalm 23:4b states, “…Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” She shares, “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 deserts and steep mountain trails. There are poisonous snakes there. There are vicious animals there.”

But then she explains that as believers 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.”

What are these two distinct implements? The shepherd’s rod was an instrument used to defend the weak sheep by beating off their enemies—eagles, snakes, wild animals, mountain lions, bears and more.

The shepherd’s staff is the familiar crooked walking stick that has been used as an instrument of guidance and restraint for centuries. The crook can be used to keep a sheep from falling when the shepherd twists it to lift it from a dangerous precipice.

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

Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but He will give you an abundance of the contrary, joy and delight.—Jonathan Edwards