As our loving God, this Good Shepherd only wants whatever is best for us. So even if we are following His lead, from time to time, He must cause us to stop and do some self-examination. Mr Keller notes that the rod is also used to count and inspect his flock, examining them for any potential problems. First, the thought of being counted among the children of God should make our hearts swell with hope and love! Second, we have to understand that self-examination, or what I call “taking inventory” of ourselves, is also a great blessing if we truly desire to have more peace and joy in our lives. The Word of God has been called a mirror through which we can see our progress, as well as any remaining flaws. The author then quotes another one of David’s Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” He says, “If we will allow it, if we will submit to it, God by His Word will search us. There will be no ‘pulling the wool over His eyes.’ He will get below the surface, behind the front of our old self-life and expose things that need to be made right.” (p116) Knowing that God desires to uproot any past hurts and false concepts that keep us from the Abundant Life here, should comfort us.
Lastly, this author speaks about how the rod can defeat any predators. I love how he connects a story about how a shepherd killed a serpent that was about to attack with how Jesus used God’s Word to defeat Satan when He was tested in the wilderness. Just like Jesus won every battle with the powerful words, “It is written,” so too can we. I will end by, once again, reminding us that the only way we can wield this powerful weapon and have victory over the “father of lies” is to actually know what is written. We cannot sense the protective conviction of God, we cannot discern between truth and lies, we cannot take part in any fruitful self-examination and we cannot beat the old serpent if we do not know God’s Word. Once again, I encourage all of us: read the Bible. Study the Bible. Then lean on the Holy Spirit so we can apply what we have learned. This is what will make His staff and rod a comfort to us.
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
