Key Verse: Psalm 23:4 “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. So far in our study through Psalm 23 we have learned that God provides for his sheep, and guides His sheep. Today we will learn that God protects His sheep. Did you know that sheep are very weak animals? They have virtually no defense mechanisms, and are easy prey for the many predators that hunt them. Sheep are fully reliant on the shepherd for protection. Even though we may not like to admit, and we may not even realize it, we too are very weak. We are weak because we will in a world under the sway and influence of the evil one, and he seeks to destroy us. We are also weak because on our own we do not have the capability of defending ourselves against this great and terrible for named Satan. We need God’s protection. David understood this need for protection and he also understood the reality of God’s protection. Thus he wrote about how he doesn’t fear evil even when he’s in the valley of death. I believe that David spent nearly half of his life in the valley of the shadow of the death. He was persecuted and hunted by Saul for at least 10-15 years of his life. He spent most of those years living in the wilderness and running for his life. David was also a warrior king. This means that he was always at war, and there are several stories in 1-2 Samuel where David is close to losing battles and even losing his life. Finally, he is persecuted and hunted by his own son, Absolom. Despite all of these troubles, why did David not fear? He chose not to fear because he knew that God was with Him. He knew that no matter what, he was in God’s hands, and that God would do what God wanted. He trusted in God’s protection. David uses two tools that a shepherd would always have to illustrate how God protects His people. A shepherd always carried both a rod and staff. A rod was typically shorter than a staff and we might would call it a club. It was used to fight off the wolves and other predators that would attack the sheep. It could also be used to disciplined a bad sheep. The staff was usually a minimum of 5-6 feet long and was curved at the end. It’s typical use was to gently guide the sheep and rescue those sheep who had wondered from the path and fallen the dangerous chasms, and holes in the mountains. This is how David visualized God’s protection. As God’s people He protects us the evil vicious attacks of the devil, and keeps his demons at bay. However, sometimes when we act up he has discipline us so we will submit to the way He has for us. Other times He protects us by gently guiding us with his staff when we begin to drift off the path He has set for us. Then there are the times when through our foolish decisions, and sinful nature God has to use His staff to reach down and pick us up out of the holes, and the traps the enemy has laid out for us. As I think about my life, I cannot even begin to number all of the times that I have seen God protect me. Oftentimes I have seen Him protect me from the devil, and his schemes. Other times I have seen Him protect me from myself. Still again I have seen Him rescue me from myself. David finishes V.4 by saying that God’s rod and staff comfort Him. He is comforted in this life knowing that God is His protector. Today I hope that you praise and worship God for being the awesome protector that He is. He will protect you in this life until He is satisfied with the work you have done, and then He will call you home where you will rest in His eternal protection. Find comfort in God’s protection today!
