SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 23: 1-6
FOCUS: “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)
MEMORY VERSE: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15: 2)
In our Focal Scripture, the psalmist speaks of the rod and staff of the shepherd. In bible times, shepherds had both rods and staff. Whilst the rods were used against the predators, staff were used to guide and direct the sheep. Sheep by their nature, had the tendency to go out of line, but she shepherd would always use his staff to whip the sheep back in line and back in position. The staff was symbolic of the shepherd’s work on the sheep.
Friend, as you navigate through life, it is important that you subject yourself to the leadings and dealings of the shepherd. The staff of the shepherd is his tool to keep you in line. How vulnerable have you become to the shepherd? How has He been able to whip you back into line? What are you learning? Who are you becoming? What have you dropped off? What have you imbibed? What changes are you making? Where is the staff?
People who do not understand the shepherd think he is using his staff on the sheep, but the sheep knows that the staff of the shepherd is there to keep it in line. If your life is devoid of the discipline of the Lord, you just might end up making mistakes that will expose you to the predators from hell. If the staff of the Lord is not used to keep you in line, you just might stray into the waiting hands of the predators that want to swallow you.
Don’t be content to enjoy the green pastures from the shepherd but avoid the staff that keeps you in line. Don’t be that sheep that feeds on green pasture but will not make room for the staff of the Shepherd. It is okay that you enjoy the green pasture, but it matters a lot that who you are becoming is in line with the mandate and agenda of heaven. It is important that you gradually reflect the rightful image of the Shepherd.
Don’t be that sheep that loves the pasture but hates the staff. As you enjoy the green pastures, let the Lord use His staff on you. Let the authority of Jesus find expression in your life. Let your character evolve under Jesus.
FURTHER READING: JOHN 15
DECLARATION:
- The staff of Jesus bears rule over me; I will not grow out of line, in Jesus’ name!
