The Shepherd’s Staff I

The Shepherd’s Staff

A rod, a strong rod is part of the ministry of a shepherd. It is not meant for going on a walk, but it is meant for the wolf! This rod is blessed when it is used at the right moment and in the right place by a good shepherd who has a watchful eye and a faithful mind. Then the lambs and the sheep experience what David experienced and wrote of in Psalms 23: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

What a blessed Shepherd, who not only makes sure that He leads us to green pastures and still waters, who not only refreshes us and leads us in the paths of righteousness, but who also faithfully watches over us with His shepherd’s staff. Woe to the wolves that come near His lambs and sheep! They will experience the bitter truth of Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”

God’s lambs and sheep do not lack a faithful Shepherd to watch over them! This watchful and faithful Shepherd does not lack a strong shepherd’s staff!!! With Him—protected by His rod and staff—all the lambs and sheep are safe! What a blessed comfort this is!

It is deeply comforting that He leads us to all the good things we so desperately need. Yet it is an even greater comfort that His shepherd’s staff will be sure to keep us in the steps of the Lamb until the end! For what would be the advantage if it went very well with us for a time, if we could not continue in that which is good until the end?!

Therefore there is something especially great and good about this shepherd’s staff! It is a comfort beyond all comforts! It would be wonderful if we had a really good song about this shepherd’s staff.

As the Chief Shepherd, so the shepherds! As the good Chief Shepherd, so the good shepherds! I want to say this to the shepherds: “You, who desire to be a good shepherd, where is your staff? You, who are a good shepherd, you who are engaged in watching over the flock that Jesus purchased with His blood, use your staff faithfully! “A rod [is] for the fool’s back.” Prov. 26:3. Of what use is it if you have seen well to their nourishment if you leave them to the wolves afterwards?

“But he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18. Of course not! The shepherd’s staff takes care of that!!! What a wonderful staff that is! Some people praise one thing and others praise something else, but as for me, I will now praise God for this precious shepherd’s staff! Yes, God be praised for it! It shall comfort us all the days of our life! Hallelujah!