The Rod and the Staff

Most of us have memorized Psalm 23 or at least have read it numerous times.  Sometimes I just like to recite it to myself when I need comfort.   This morning, as I was praying it over myself, something really stood out to me that never had before. (thank you Holy Spirit!)  I imagine that I have read/recited that scripture at least 100 times in my life…and have never thought about this statement…“Thy rod and thy staff, they COMFORT me.” (verse 4)
  
It really raised some questions for me, so I read some commentaries about the purpose of a rod and a staff to a shepherd.  This was taken from William Barclay in Jesus As They Saw Him:  “He [the shepherd] had his rod and his staff. The staff was a long crooked stick. Always the shepherd walked with it in his hand, and, when a sheep showed signs of straying, he would stretch out and pull it back with the crook. He carried the rod at his belt. It was a stout piece of wood, perhaps three feet long, with a lump of wood the size of an orange at one end of it. With this the shepherd fought the battles of the flock, using it to drive off wild beasts and to defend the flock against the robbers who would steal the sheep.”

Now it is so clear to me!  Jesus protects us with His ROD.  He fights off our enemies and the “robber” that tries to steal us away…satan.  He fights our battles for us.  Can’t you just picture Him with that heavy, wooden rod beating back our enemies for us, His helpless sheep?

With the STAFF He pulls us back in when we attempt to go astray.  Think of all the times in your life when you wanted to stray and something would happen to “pull” you back…closer to Him.  He watches over each of His flock and sometimes has to put that crook around our neck to get us back in line. (I'm thinking mothers should carry one of these!) 

I don’t know about you, but this brings me so much comfort.  I am His cherished sheep and He will do anything to protect me and keep me close to HIM!  Thank you Lord for fighting my battles and "crooking" my neck when I need it!!