9/11 Through Psalm 23

Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me
Psalm 23:4, “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

Oh the peaceful consolation that comes from a personal consideration of the psalmist’s claim! In these precious words, we see David experiencing and enjoying a glorious calm of spirit and rest of soul! The sweet serenity that is conveyed here is based upon the understanding that the Great Shepherd is not only the source of all provision, but also of all protection! This, we have clearly seen in the picture and principle conveyed by looking at the significance of the Shepherd’s “rod”. However, the “comfort” which characterizes the praise of the psalmist is not solely based upon the divine defense found in the “rod”, but it is also based upon an understanding and application of the Shepherd’s “staff”, for he declares, “thy rod and thy staff THEY comfort me”! You see, though the “rod” and “staff” are dynamically different in the roles that they play in shepherding, they are essentially equal in the relaying of consolation to David’s soul!

As we have already seen, the “rod” and “staff” were indispensable instruments to the daily doings of the shepherd. And because it is so, every shepherd would carefully choose and craft each of these tools to suit them personally. The “staff”, like the “rod”, was developed from the wood of a sapling. It was made by cutting off the young tree above the base and the roots. The shepherd would then carve the wood into a long shaft, and he would bend the still pliable wood into a crook at one end of the shaft. After shaping the crook, the shepherd would tie the design firmly in place, and then, the wood was allowed to harden so that the “staff” would permanently hold its shape.

As was the case with the “rod”, the shepherd’s “staff” was also shaped specifically to fulfill its particular purpose. And, as different as these two instruments are in their design, so too, they are dissimilar in their individual function. While the “rod” was used primarily to defend the sheep from those predators and enemies which would seek make prey of them, the “staff” was used mainly in caring for the sheep themselves. The crook of the “staff” was used to draw out a sheep that had become caught in a bramble bush, or to lift up a sheep that may have fallen off a cliff on to a lower ledge. The shepherd would do this by maneuvering the crook under the front legs of the sheep and around its body so as to lift or pull them to safety. As well, the pointed tip of the “staff” was often used to firmly nudge the side of the sheep that was beginning to stray from the flock.

Perhaps the most extreme and severe usage of the “staff” was reserved for the sheep that were habitually or perpetually straying from the flock. In these cases, the shepherd would use the long straight shaft on the back of the “staff” inflict a hard blow to the front legs of the sheep. This hard strike was intended to break the front legs, in order to prevent the sheep from being able to stray again for some time. However, after meting out such a measure of punishment, the shepherd would then set the broken bones, bind up the legs in splints, and then carry the sheep until such a time as the sheep could stand on its own again.

Oh how very accurately this presents the tender care of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ! Indeed, He is ever using His spiritual “staff” to withhold us from our wanderings! Our wonderful Lord is always keeping watch over His feeble flock, seeking to protect us, not only from those enemies that lurk without, but also from the foolishness that dwells within! Again and again we have seen and said that sheep are not only stubborn creatures, but they are stupid as well. And could there be a more dangerous and potentially destructive combination than these? In our stubbornness, we persist in our inclinations toward independent living, and in our stupidity, we convince ourselves that our confidence in the flesh is well founded. And yet, even while we persist in such a prideful pathway, the gentle voice of the Great Shepherd calls out to our self-confident souls saying, “Without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Do you see the prevailing point that is conveyed by the message of our Great Shepherd’s “staff”? While the “rod” illustrates our dependence on Christ’s care as a defense against our foes, the “staff” illustrates our need for His deliverance from the impulses and desires of own flesh!

Oh how very vile is the flesh and it’s perverse passions! In fact, Paul defined the depth of this problem when he declared, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18). Not only this, but he was also inspired of the Holy Spirit to define the dangerous potential that is found by putting faith in the flesh. He wrote to the believers of Galatia, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like” (Galatians 5:19-21). In fact, so serious is the situation with our flesh, that Paul warns the people of Philippi that we are to “have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)

Oh how woeful the warning, and yet, how wonderful the wisdom! We must be willing to acknowledge the fact that the possibility for perversity exists within each of us, and specifically, within our flesh! You see, though the believer has been given a new nature, having been made a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ, and though we are “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10) by the new birth, yet still, we have the internal urges of our old nature with which to contend. Though Christ has, by His precious blood, made us “free from sin” to “become servants to God” (Romans 6:22) and “servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:18), yet still, we must daily contend with the corrupt desires of our foolish flesh, a flesh which ever “lusteth against the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17). But even though we are fighting these perverse passions that lie within us, there is hope. In other words, we do not have to succumb to the sinful sensations of the flesh!

You see, at the moment that one takes Christ, by faith, to be his Saviour, God gives the precious Holy Spirit to “abide” with us and within us “forever” (John 14:16). It is this gracious gift which provides us with that power which is needed to persist and prevail in the walk and warfare of the Christian life! This is why Paul admonishes the believers of Galatia, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and YE SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUST OF THE FLESH.” (Galatians 5:16) In other words, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is the source of power, by which we are able to live the Christian life! Philippians 2:13 says, “For IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.” It is interesting that the word “worketh” comes from the Greek word (energeo), from which we also get the English word energize. Thus, God is ever operating within the believer in order to energize and enable us to desire and to do that which pleases Him!

Some might say, “I am not sure that I can overcome the wicked whims of my flesh!” And yet, Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.” (Philippians 4:13) Others might say, “I don’t think I can win this war that is raging within me!” And yet, the Word of God assures us that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US” (Ephesians 3:20). Rest in His promise, dear friend, and rely on His power! Though we cannot conquer our own flesh, though every effort to overcome by our own strength is futile, yet Christ “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness”, and He has done so by “his divine power” (2 Peter 1:3)! And what is the source of that strength and power which He has given? It is none other than the indwelling Spirit of God, for Christ promised, “Ye shall RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8)!

Ah, but what of those who do not “walk in the Spirit”? What is to be the fate of those who stubbornly refuse to appropriate the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost, and instead, stray from the flock at the compulsions of their flesh? Even for these, God has made provision! You see, when we, like a defiant sheep, insist upon going our own way, God, in His great pity and compassion brings the chastening blow of His “staff” upon our souls so that our will might be broken. This is a painful but purposeful process! In fact, Hebrews 12:11 affirms this truth: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless AFTERWARD it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Just as the earthly shepherd chastens the wandering and wayward sheep of his flock, so too, our Heavenly Shepherd chastens us when we choose to stubbornly stray from His fold!

Oh how beautiful and blessed is the picture and promise that is seen in the “staff”! You see, the word “staff” translates from the Hebrew word (mish’eneh). The word means support, and it can be used to speak of support of every kind. In fact, the root of the word is the Hebrew word (mish’en), which translates “stay” in the King James Bible. For instance, in 2 Samuel 22:19 and Psalm 18:18, it translates, “But the Lord was my STAY.” Do you see the point dear friend? For all of our illustrations and suppositions, the ultimate message of the Shepherd’s “staff” is that Christ Himself is the supply of every support needed for His people! He is the source of our strength; He is the provider of that power by which we are able to conquer our fleshly self-will!

Think of it dear friend! We need not be defeated or destroyed by the passions of the flesh, for Christ has given us all that we need to walk in victory! Christ is “the true vine” (John 15:1) which supplieth every need within, so that we might be fruitful! God the Father is “the husbandman” (John 15:1) which provideth every need without, so that we might be faithful! Oh the completeness of the care which we have in our Great Shepherd! Fear not the lurking foes about you, for His “rod” is your defense! Fear not the lusting flesh within you, for His “staff” is your deliverance! Whether because of that purging which is wrought upon us, or because of that power which worketh within us, we need not despair, for we may lift up our voice with Paul and proclaim, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57)!