“Spare the rod and spoil the child.” We’ve all heard that old axiom. Now none of us wanted to “spoil” our children, but using a rod is harsh punishment, it makes us cringe. Where’s the love?

With that in mind, I started to wonder about the 4th verse of Psalm 23: “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” Well, the shepherd’s staff brought to mind all those Sunday School images of Jesus with a staff. The good shepherd used that trusty hook to pull the wandering sheep back to safety. Now that’s a comforting thought.

But what about the rod? I’m was having trouble seeing the love and comfort in that one, so I did a little searching. I learned that even today shepherds rely on a heavy rod to ward off danger. With a swift and powerful blow the shepherd can kill a poisonous snake. He can use it against coyotes or other animals threatening his flock.

Ah yes, and we are like “sheep who have gone astray”. We need a shepherd with a staff who will pull us back from dangerous ways. And we need a shepherd with a rod who will walk with us to ward off the evil around us. Then with the Psalmist we can say confidently, “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

Protecting His wandering sheep is just one more way that God truly loves you. He loves you unconditionally!

Judy

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . . 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.” Psalm 23:4