Finding Comfort in His Rod and Staff

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me.”

‘Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ At first blush, the rod and staff would not elicit comfort particularly since it is associated with instruments of discipline and correction. I imagine a sheep who has gone astray being led back into the fold by the shepherd’s use of the staff and the rod. Perhaps if this sheep was a ‘proud’ sheep with a large ego, it would not appreciate being brought back as it would remind the sheep that it cannot ever strike out on its own, that it is a dependent creature, that ultimately without the shepherd’s guidance, it will find itself in places of danger and vulnerability, in the ‘valley of the shadow of death’. I think when I was younger my view towards the rods and staffs in my life was that it was a necessary but ultimately unwelcoming presence. Every time such ‘implements’ were used to guide me, I would rebel against the need for them quietly within my own heart. My ego would be wounded. I would tell myself how come I need guidance? Why can’t I be left to make my own mistakes? How come I am not afforded more respect? These were some of the irrational and frankly unjustifiable thoughts that filled my heart. But that was when I was younger, when I didn’t know any better, when I was overconfident in myself, and where my understanding of the problem of sin did not rise to the level of needing discipline and guidance at the risk of emotional discomfort.

Now that I have grown older, I can now begin to appreciate and welcome the ‘rod and staff’ of God’s shepherd’s hand in my life.  Only now in my late 30’s have I begun to appreciate the destructive power of my sinful nature, of just how fragile the line truly is between purity and degradation. Only as I have gone through various struggles, do I understand more clearly the evil that lurks within my own heart and the potential for harm I can bring upon myself, my family, my church and my sheep and this has thankfully led me to welcoming accountability and guidance any time such opportunities present themselves. The greater appreciation of my vulnerability towards sin is why I now see how God’s rod and staff ultimately brings comfort to me. When I know that God guides me with His rod and staff, I am assured that I can never stray too far, never become so tainted, never cross too many boundaries that I should not be crossing because His hand of protection and discipline will be upon me and that brings tremendous comfort to someone whose heart is so fickle and whose tendencies inevitably lead to greater sin and destruction. It is like someone who signs up for the U.S. Marines as a last resort knowing he was headed down a destructive path, having dropped out of school, having lost self-respect through various relationships, having dabbled in petty crimes and knowing that the discipline and protection the Marines supply is what will be needed to halt that downward spiral.  I imagine he would find comfort every time he goes through his drills and his superiors offer him discipline knowing this will ultimately lead to good.  My application is to welcome the ‘rod and staff’ in my life. I need God’s hand leading me, teaching me, disciplining me, bringing me away from the valley of the shadow of death even if that means knowing this will disrupt my sense of independence and temporary peace. I am reminded of what Jesus told Peter in John 21:18, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” When I was younger I did dress myself and go where I wanted, and do I wanted to do but I don’t look back on such periods with fondness. I realize more than ever that as God has led me to the point where someone else dresses me and leads me where I do not want to go, that that is a good thing. I see that God does this for my own protection and if I didn’t have such walls of protection, such expectations and responsibilities, my sins and desires would ultimately take over. I thank God for providing me with this ministry, for giving me a flock, for having people in my life that look to me to set an example. As I take on the role of a pastor, I am reminded of the increasing narrowing of options. I need to be blameless lest others stumble. I need to be authentic, spiritual, growing in my faith, and in my love for people. But were it not for these expectations, I would most likely be driven by my desires. I am glad for the myriad of people in my life and also for the opportunities to lead prayer meetings, to give messages, to counsel people, to lead meetings, because those are the rods and staff that encourage me to not fall into a life of sin. I am thankful for the people who can offer words of accountability when I am straying as they speak the truth in love to me when I am blinded or calloused to my ways. Ultimately, I need His rod and staff knowing the valleys of the shadow of death will be plenty and fraught with many dangers. I trust that God uses these ‘implements’ for my protection, growth, maturity and to remind me of my need for Him.  Consequently I now can say what I was unable to say before that I need God and that His rod and staff, they comfort me!