Psalms 23:4 (KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Following on from yesterdays devotion we could ask the question. Why would the rod and staff of Jesus Christ our good shepherd comfort us?
There are at least three aspects of this. One is the Lordship (rulership, leadership) of Jesus Christ, then there is protection and the other is rescue.
Jesus Christ is LORD. “Philippians 2:10-11 (KJV) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” He is the good Shepherd who leads us and we are His sheep whom follow Him.
“John 10:25-30 (KJV) Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. [26] But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and my Father are one.”
In the Albert Barnes commentary it states: “With this staff he rules and guides the flock to their green pastures, and defends them from their enemies. With it also he corrects them when disobedient, and brings them back when wandering. ”.
This leads us on to His protection and rescue.
When wild animals (e.g. wolfs) come to attack and devour the sheep then the Shepherd use these to protect us. We have an enemy. “1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”. Here we see that we as His sheep also need to cooperate with Jesus Christ by also being vigilant and steadfast.
When we wander away (disobey, backside,…) He uses the hook on the staff to rescue us and the rod to smite the enemy. He also uses the rod to bring us to repentance.
“Hebrews 12:5-7 (KJV) And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: [6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
Therefore let us be encouraged today to stick close to Jesus Christ and follow Him knowing that when we are close to Him we are protected and kept from wandering away.
Here are the previous devotions on Psalms 23:
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/22/my-shepherd-psalms-23-part-1-2025-03-22/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/24/green-pastures-psalms-23-part-2-2025-03-23/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/25/green-pastures-psalms-23-part-3-2025-03-25/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/26/green-pastures-psalms-23-part-4-2025-03-26/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/27/lie-down-psalms-23-part-5-2025-03-27/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/28/leading-2025-03-28/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/03/31/beside-still-waters-psalms-23-part-8-2025-03-30/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/04/01/soul-restoration-psalms-23-part-9-2025-04-01/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/04/02/paths-of-righteousness-psalms-23-part-10-2025-04-02/
https://missioncommunities.network/2025/04/03/walking-through-psalms-23-part-11-2025-04-03/
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