The Rod and Staff of the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)
The Shepherd’s Psalm (Psalm 23) is without question one of the most quoted and inspirational passages in all of scripture. I personally find great joy in the fact that the word “pastor” is closely related to the word “shepherd.” This passage reminds me the Lord is my “pastor,” the ultimate version of caring for me. I love the lines we sing from the song, You've Already Won, “I’m fighting a battle, you’ve already won. No matter what comes my way, I will overcome.” Jesus, our Good Shepherd, gives comfort and protection, because He is able to repel our greatest enemies.
The rod and staff of a shepherd were designed to protect from the predators that could so easily prey upon the defenseless sheep of the fields. (1 Samuel 17:34-35) The strength of the Good Shepherd has been described as steel encased in the velvet. In his guide to the psalms, Dale Ralph Davis says, “Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is no emaciated weakling. Our Shepherd is a warrior, as shepherds had to be. No one can snatch his sheep out of his hand (John 10:28). The muscles of his arm are flexed to defend his flock; he doesn’t carry a club for nothing. He is obviously enough for whatever the valley throws at us.” (Slogging Along in the Paths of Righteousness: Psalms 13-24) The Lord’s rod and staff are symbols of His sovereign control and gracious care…with Him on our side, nothing can stand against us. (Romans 8:31)
A friend recently shared with me that, “everything is scary these days.” He went on to describe what many feel – a combination of real-world anxieties and our emotional responses to them. We know factors such as increased awareness of global issues, economic uncertainty, and the constant barrage of information – both true and false – can contribute to our heightened sense of fear and unease. Additionally, science tells us our minds are wired to pay close attention to threats, which can amplify these feelings of fear and anxiety. Knowing I am under the care of the Good Shepherd, and He has my back, gives me the courage to keep moving forward. I think this was one of the reasons King David penned Psalm 23, to remind us we do not have to live in fear, but we can trust that rod and staff are what Richard Briggs describes as, “the visible symbols of God’s constant invisible presence.” I believe today we recognize God’s wonderful provision for us even in the most difficult circumstances.
Expectantly,
Shawn
