My three-year-old grandson, Bennett, had a big problem.
Bennett could not walk in a straight line. Everything that little guy saw got his attention. He zig-zagged from one side of the sidewalk to the other. A giant rock on one side, a squirrel on the other, a lawn ornament on one side, and then a trailer full of junk in the street. He hopped over every fence and jumped on every porch. No tree was unclimbed or puddle not jumped. At that age, he was an energetic, curious little boy. I had to use both hands when we walked—one to protect him from his endless curiosity and the other to keep him going in the right direction. Doing so demonstrated the difference between a rod and a staff.
Psalm 23 is a familiar portion of Scripture to most people and gives a vivid picture of God’s personal protection promise. Sheep represent Christians for two reasons: we need protection and direction. Christ is the Great Shepherd who loves and protects His sheep.
Like sheep, believers are vulnerable to attack. Worldly influences are significant. The Enemy is always on the prowl to devour us. The shepherd’s rod beats back dangers and attacks. The battle often proves invisible to us, but it is real. In pursuing Christ, we can become embattled and lose our way.
The shepherd’s staff redirects and rescues his sheep. He keeps a constant vigil over His beloved children. The more we trust the Shepherd, the less we must fear. This is true even in trials referred to as the darkest valley. When we are there, we can choose to trust the Shepherd. His rod and staff protect and direct us and will bring great comfort until we emerge from the valley—and emerge we will.
The psalmist writes, “Though I walk ...” We must keep moving through our trials. Valleys open on each end. Although tempted, we should not sit or quit. Our Shepherd is with us, guiding us through the valley and protecting us as we go.
How can you have more faith that the Shepherd protects and directs you?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Herriest.)
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Bill Branks is a pastor and writer who lives in Detroit, Michigan. He has been pastoring in the inner city for eighteen years, writes about his experiences in the city, and draws biblical applications and devotions from this journey. You can read more at billbranks.substack.com.