Mr Keller continues to give us reassurance of the important power the Word of God can have over the followers life here. He says, “What a comfort to have this authoritative, clear-cut, powerful instrument under which to conduct ourselves. By it we are kept from confusion amid chaos. This in itself brings into our lives a great sense of quiet serenity which is precisely what the Psalmist meant when he said, ‘your rod… comfort[s] me.’” (p114) When this world gets confusing and we are not sure what is truth and what is not, the children of God always have available to us His Word through which to gauge everything around us. This clears away the uncertainty and provides a firm foundation upon which to make decisions about life. It also helps us be loving towards others around us. Through God’s Word, we can know how to speak to others with truth and grace, loving them into the waiting arms of Christ…if that is their choice. Just like you and me, every human has the freedom of choosing whether to follow our Good Shepherd or not. On those occasions we choose to not follow Him, His Word also warns us of the consequences of those poor choices.
Mr Keller comments on how the shepherds around him would use the rod to bring back into safety any sheep that were trying to wander away. “If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away on its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.” (p115) I am not sure how you feel about this, but to me, it is comforting. No, I never enjoy any pain that my disobedience brings, but I love that God loves me too much to let me wander away from His Love and protection. This tells me I can never go too far that His Love will not seek to bring me back. For instance, when I try to go my own way, a Scripture will suddenly come to my heart to convict me and bring me back to God, in repentance and humility, where I can receive God’s forgiveness and continue my journey with Him. Of course, this means we must know God’s Word.
This continues to be one of the most victorious areas for our enemy. The more he can convince us not to read the Bible, the less we will sense the protection of God’s Word. We will dismiss any conviction and run out, head first, following the wrong decision and then really get injured. Our Good Shepherd does not want this for His Flock. If we truly desire to stay safe in God’s Presence, then we have to read, study and apply the Bible. But even when we refuse, this rod of discipline is real…and can be really painful. Yet God always means that pain to bring us back into union with Him because He loves us too much to let us stray.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
<>< Peace, Diane
