DAY 143: YOUR ROD AND STAFF
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
PSALM 23:4c
The comforting thing about YAHWEH’s presence is that He comes with His rod and staff. These are not just a shepherd’s tool of work but evidence of expertise. Any shepherd worth their salt will have both. These tools are there to lead and guide the sheep. To correct them and keep them in line for their own good. That sounds like His word and His spirit.
In the shadow of death, the word of God becomes your comfort and the Holy Spirit becomes your north star. Because this is a dangerous place, you cannot afford to wander off without direction. Your shepherd knows that your adversary is waiting for an opportune time to attack and He cannot let you be devoured, for His name’s sake.
Look around you, the world today looks like the valley of the shadow of death. There’s danger at every turn. You cannot afford to be a stubborn sheep. So harden not your heart when you hear His voice.
This verse, as lovely as it is, is a declaration of faith and trust in God. “Yea though I walk,” means He is not walking in it at the moment but he knows that even if he did, his shepherd would be there. He is positioning his heart ahead of the valley because He is confident in his shepherd.
Beloved, fearful situations will come, the only way to not be afraid is to make sure your heart has been fortified with the word ahead of time. Fear must meet a confident heart to dissipate. We cannot wait for the situation before we start applying the word. We must teach our hearts to be confident while it is day.
Shalom.
