Message for July 20, 2025 from Pastor Shirley

Psalm 23:4  “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

Shepherds of the time commonly carried a rod and staff as essential to their work.  The rod is a symbol of the Lord’s strength and protection.  The rod was a sturdy wooden stick used as a weapon to fight off wild animals.  The shepherd also used the rod to help him keep count of the sheep within the flock.  The shepherd also used the rod to help him keep count of the sheep within the flock.  The staff is a symbol of the Lord’s guidance and lovingkindness.  The staff was used primarily to direct the flock. I want to focus on the staff by sharing the following article.

W. Philip Keller, in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, comments on the uniqueness of the shepherd’s staff:  “In a sense, the staff, more than any other item of his equipment, identifies the shepherd as a shepherd.  No one in any other profession carries a shepherd’s staff. It is uniquely an instrument used for the care and management of sheep—and only sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or hogs. It is designed, shaped and adapted especially to the needs of sheep” (from chapter 8).  Together, the rod and staff of Psalm 23 paint a picture of the divine Shepherd who wields them. He is strong, competent, and trustworthy; He is present with His sheep, able to defend them and watch over them through all the dangers they face.  Knowing that we have such a Shepherd who is ready to protect us from danger, keep us close, and rescue us when we go astray, truly is a great comfort to us, the sheep.