Tuesday, July 25, 2023
A Tap from the Shepherd
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NLT).
Have you ever had a tap from the Lord to move forward? Perhaps you were growing complacent as a Christian or maybe even lazy. So, God spoke to your heart and said, “Get up. Move. Do something.” Or maybe through a set of circumstances God reminded you of the importance of moving forward.
Writing in Psalm 23, David said, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verse 4 NLT).
In David’s time, shepherds used the rod not only for discipline; they also used it along with the staff to lead the sheep forward. The sheep would get lazy sometimes. After a time of grazing in green pastures and drinking from peaceful streams, the sheep would lie on their sides and fall asleep. So, a shepherd would have to give them a good push with the rod and staff.
But shepherds also used their rods and staffs to number the sheep. They would hold out their rods and staffs and count them as they passed by.
In the same way, we need to remember that God knows who belongs to Him. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29 NLT).
God has numbered us. He knows who we are. We are a part of His family. And that brings comfort to us. He is there to number us. He is there to guide us. And when necessary, He is there to lovingly discipline us as well.
Copyright © 2023 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
Grief is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Pastor Greg Laurie experienced this truth when his son Christopher passed away suddenly. Discover comfort and healing in times of pain as you read his book Hope for Hurting Hearts. Receive your copy as our gift for your donation of any amount to Harvest Ministries this month.
