Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

Has peace enveloped you as the Holy Spirit speaks? “This is the way; walk in it.” You’re about to embark on something illogical, but peace surrounds you.  The illogical ideas often come from God, like Noah building an ark when he had never seen rain.

That portrays our good shepherd guiding us with His staff. He lays it alongside the sheep to direct their path. Only shepherds and sheep can claim ownership to the staff. No other type of livestock, farmer, or rancher uses a staff.

The staff represents the Holy Spirit. We’ve already looked at the Spirit’s counseling work as He guides us.  Shepherds also use the staff to draw the sheep close to them, just like Holy Spirit draws us closer to Christ.

The shepherd draws sheep close to examine them and to keep them from wondering. Many times, a newborn will get separated from its mother, and the staff gently draws the newborn back into the intimate relationship with mom. Perhaps you’ve felt the compassionate touch as Holy Spirit draws you near Jesus.

A stubborn sheep might seek greener pasture. Sound familiar? While he grazes on that lush green grass, he winds up entangled in a brier patch.  The shepherd searches for his lost sheep, and he stretches out his staff to rescue that desperate sheep.  Has Holy Spirit delivered you from the brier patches of this world? That’s the compassion of the shepherd and his staff.

We have probably experienced the drawing power, the swift deliverance, and the nearness of the staff many times, especially during our valleys, and we never recognized it as the staff.

While the rod can protect the flock and keep them in line, the staff is a gentle nudge. The gentleness of a loving shepherd, leading his flock through the dangerous valley to the higher ground of the mountaintop.

You might be wondering in a valley today. Have you felt the staff draw you close? Has it guided you along? Friend, when you experience tranquility in the midst of trauma, you will recognize the staff of our good shepherd.

Lord Jesus, I entrust my valley journey to You. Your sweet Holy Spirit pulls me so close. I feel Your compassion as You reach out Your staff to draw me nearby. Thank You for such great love. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read John 16:13 NKJV:

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of the above verse. Ask Him how you can apply it personally.

RELATED RESOURCE

You can win a free copy of my Christian nonfiction book, Eyes of Faith: Winning the Battle Between Our Feelings and Our Faith. Here’s how: leave a comment below or on the Facebook thread where you clicked on this link. One name will be drawn on October 1, 2021 at noon.

Originally posted on September 27, 2021 @ 3:00 am