Green Pastures, Part IV

Continuing with verse 4 of chapter 23, David says, “…your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” When we think of a rod, we tend to think of something used for correction, such as “the rod of discipline” with regards to our children (Proverbs 22:15). But on closer look, the rod mentioned here refers to a rod of protection (from the enemy) and the staff is used to guide us with care. Like a good shepherd does for his sheep (who are utterly helpless and defenseless with a shepherd to protect and guide them), we too would have the same fate without our shepherd, the Lord, who uses his rod to protect us and his staff to carefully and lovingly guide us. This continues with the theme throughout this chapter, one of comfort and rest in green pastures.

When we know we are protected and guided by our sweet Lord, we can relax without having to feel anxious, scared and worried that any number of dangerous things are right around the corner, ready to hurt us (especially from our unseen enemy!) We can live freely (although we still have to use the brains he gave us to avoid doing something stupid or unnecessarily dangerous), knowing that God is protecting us no matter where we live. I live in a suburb of one of the most dangerous cities in the US and every day I hear about shootings, robberies, murders, etc. It would be very easy to go out, as a single woman, and walk around petrified with fear that I might be the next victim. But, I can hold my head high with confidence that the God of the universe has his angels around me, keeping me safe. Not only this, but He also protects me from my #1 enemy, Satan.

Countless times, I have been in potentially dangerous or even deadly situations, and I have been kept safe. There was a period of about a year where my (ex) husband became physically abusive and one time had his hands around my neck and tried to choke me. I had just learned some self-defense techniques shortly before that, and was equipped to get his hands off from my neck before I was harmed. I always have this deep down assurance that God is protecting my every step.

Recently, God supernaturally protected my 17-year-old son, who took out my car out to go a mile down the road to the grocery. When he went to turn left, there was a fire truck RIGHT THERE, coming full speed towards him and just feet away from my car. (It was blocked from a long line of trucks and big cars). He thought quickly and gunned the engine to get out of the way (towards a ditch straight ahead), then had to quickly brake to avoid going into a deep ravine. The car rested right between a telephone pole and a guardrail. Cars were everywhere at this busy intersection. When my son got home, he said that he was scared out of his mind, and that there was ABSOLUTELY no way (it was impossible that) he should not have been hit by something! There was not even a scratch on the car! It was then I teared up and told him that just that week on Wednesday night, my pastor prayed over us in the chapel meeting for special protection for us and our children. The moment he prayed that, I had a strong feeling that something was going to happen in our household soon but that God was going to supernaturally protect us.  

These are a few examples of God’s rod of protection in action, and I praise God! His rod also protects us from Satan, our enemy, who is always looking for someone to destroy and devour. Satan is powerful but God’s rod far outweighs any measly power that Satan has! As dangerous as our world is and some of the people in it, our struggle is not really against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). How thankful I am for the Lord’s rod of protection, not only against potential danger or things we can see, but even against things that are unseen coming against us!

Now I move on to the staff of guidance. How many times I have needed God’s guidance in raising my children alone! Having so many decisions to make sometimes overwhelms me, but I am comforted in the fact that God will carefully guide me when I ask Him to. Even with the small decisions, I ask God for His guidance to make the right decision as I carefully weigh the options, as some decisions could have a long-lasting impact on this family. God always gives me peace about the right decision, and no peace about the wrong decision, which guides me to make the right decision.

A few years ago, I had to make a decision to get a spinal tap to diagnose several neurological problems I had for two years that were increasing. At first, I told the doctor “No way! I am not getting that done” (I hated the thought of a huge needle going in next to my spine!) However, she gave me a few weeks to think about it and let her know at my next appointment. Long story short, I prayed that God would give me guidance on what to do. He knew what was wrong with me physically and whether in fact I really needed that particular test done to find out the cause. Within 24 hours, I was overwhelmed with peace about the procedure and had it performed about a month later. As a result, the problem was confirmed (along with the MRI showing lesions on my brain): Multiple Sclerosis.

After a firm diagnosis, it gave me a peace of mind knowing what the problem was so I could move on forward and begin to treat and prepare for this accordingly. It was much, much harder not knowing why I had suffered so many neurological problems. I was also now able to enlist my prayer warrior friends to pray for me accordingly as well as being able to pray for this specifically myself.

I am very thankful for the rest (in green pastures) that the Lord brings to me through His rod of protection and His staff of guidance! Have you thanked God for these things today?