In Psalm 23:4c-5, we read, “… Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”
The shepherd used tools to protect his sheep – a rod and a staff. He used the rod to fend off snakes and wild animals that would threaten his sheep. Many enemies would endanger the sheep so the shepherd had to be alert to those forces. Sometimes the sheep would begin to wander off and he would use the hook at the end of his staff to get that sheep back on the path.
Our Lord also has tools that He uses to protect, provide for us, and heal us from injuries that we may experience.
He uses His word to comfort, convict, and convince us to live our lives His way. Jesus our Shepherd provides for us in so many ways — financially, food, housing, healing and much more. He loves and protects us.
In Genesis 15:1, we read, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’” Isn’t that encouraging!
In Exodus 14:13-14, we read, “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians, whom you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” I love that. We fuss and fume, when we would just be quiet before the Lord, we would see Him at work for us.
In Deuteronomy 31:6, we read, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be afraid of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes before you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
A good shepherd would lead his sheep. Jesus is our good shepherd, and He wants to lead us. Are we willing to follow Him?
In 2 Timothy 4:18, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The LORD will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
In Hebrews 13:6, we read, “So we can confidently say, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do to me?’”
Sometimes, due to thorns, a sheep would endure severe scratches from the thorns. The scratches could become infected. The shepherd would check his sheep to see if they had any kind of scratches or injuries. He would pour olive oil into the scratches for healing. In the scriptures, oil frequently refers to the Holy Spirit. So, we have the comforting, healing presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to comfort and heal us. May God help us to avail ourselves of the Holy Spirit, who is always with us.
God bless you, Pastor Leonard
(Note: This was prepared before Pastor Leonard’s hospitalization.)
