It’s likely that most of us underappreciate the goodness of the fact that we are shepherded through life. Is that unfair? How readily do you reflect on the truth that you are (even on the most ordinary days) being guided by your faithful shepherd?
Suppose you found yourself dropped into a hostile environment, a place foreign to you and fraught with peril – an unfamiliar and frightening land, surrounded by “dangers, toils and snares”. That is the setting of the 23rd. As we reflect on this psalm, we might tend to gravitate toward those sweeter elements – green pastures and still waters – yet equally prominent in this poem are darker realities – evil, death and enemies. Should you find yourself this imperiled state, it would bring comfort to know that you had a strong and capable guide who is committed to your welfare, has never lost one under his care and is intent on seeing you all the way home. This is the consolation that David finds and it is the same comfort that is ours. This world is not safe, but we are not imperiled. We are under the strong, reliable escort of our trustworthy guide.
You may have noticed that most of the psalm is in the third person (“The Lord is my shepherd”, “He makes me lie down . . .”, “He restores my soul. . .”, “He leads me . . .”). In this verse (v. 4) and following, the perspective changes to second person (“. . . you are with me.”; “you prepare a table”; “you anoint my head”). Similarly, we see at the end of the fourth verse, David’s Godward statement of hope – “your rod and your staff – they comfort me”. Somehow, these protective instruments are carried through the fearsome valley described in the same verse and serve us sheep. Both bring the psalmist comfort. The rod (a sort of billy club strapped to the shepherd’s belt) was meant as a weapon. It’s purpose is not disciplinary but protective. It is with this rod that the shepherd will fight back predators and every threat that might do the sheep harm. The staff is that crooked stick that we associate with ancient sheep herders. Whereas the rod is used for defense, the staff is used for control. With the staff, a shepherd would direct a wandering sheep. With it, he patiently goads the sheep in the right direction and toward provision. Again, both tools console the vulnerable sheep.
Switching metaphors, the response to question 26 of the Westminster (How does Christ execute the office of King?) is this: Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies”. Our faithful guide is committed to our protection. He is also intent on patiently guiding us. With his staff, he will keep us from wandering into harm. He’ll not let his dim charges traipse off into the woods. That (I’m sure you can see) is a comfort to anyone who is “prone to wander”. Spurgeon said of the rod and the staff that they are “ensigns of [God’s] sovereignty and gracious care, by which [he] governs and rules [his] flock”.
Do you fear some illusive threat? Your shepherd carries a rod by which he intends to protect you. Do you fear the indeterminate future? Your shepherd carries a staff by which he intends to direct you. If all immediate dangers are kept at bay and every future dread is answered, then we sheep have nothing to fear and can move through life in peace. We may hold those two truths before us and (like David) find our consolation there. Your good shepherd is set on your protection and he will guide you all the way home. We sang these familiar words on Sunday: “Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease. Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.” That’s good, isn’t it?
Life.
Rest.
Joy.
Peace.
Know that, Basswood. You can trust your shepherd. Know that.