By Rev. Daniel Yaw  

Introduction
You have heard it commonly said, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”  We all know that this refers to the discipline to be administered in the home.  It is something the modern world finds it hard to administer.  Many young parents find it a struggle to place a rod on a child for various reasons.

My point is that the rod has become somewhat of a fearful thing rather than a comforting thing.  Yet the psalmist says that “Your rod and your staff – they comfort me.”  How is that so?

To understand the picture of the psalmist about our life and connection with our Good Shepherd, we must also see how the rod and the staff are being used in those days in the shepherd’s field.

David used a beautiful picture to depict the care of the shepherd toward his sheep.  The rod and the staff are symbols of care and protection and that is why it is a comfort.

YOUR ROD
How would a shepherd use his rod in caring for the sheep?  The rod is meant not for the sheep but for the enemies of the sheep.

The shepherd in those days, carries a sturdy and strong rod to protect the sheep.  That rod is used to ward away wild animals that seek to attack the sheep.  The shepherd would use the rod to fight those ferocious animals.  They did not have rifles in those days, and it is with their bare hands and with the aid of this wooden rod that they fought.

I Sam 17:34-35, “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.”

Young David reported to King Saul on his skill and experience as a shepherd that he could fight the wild beast, risking his life for them as a shepherd.  He fought the enemies with that rod that a shepherd carries all the time in the fields.

We have battles in life, but the God of the Old Testament constantly assures us that the battle belongs to the Lord.  When Jesus came to this world, he told his disciples that in this world there will be tribulation, yet they can be cheerful because the Lord has overcome the world.

That is the symbol of the rod.  God will help us fight our battles.  What then is your battle for now?  Are you struggling with depression, despair, disillusionment, disheartened by unexpected events, and others?  Then remember the ROD of God that offers us strength and victory in our battles of life.  This indeed comforts us!

THE STAFF
Besides the rod is the staff.  We all have the picture of a long staff in the shape of a hook at the top end.  It is long to reach out to the straying sheep and there is a hook at the tip to guide them back into the fold.

We all know that we are like sheep having to go astray many times.  The distractions of this world, the temptations of this world will constantly draw us away from God.  Perhaps even at this time as a church where we are participating in the 40 days of fasting and prayer – we get distracted as well and will probably at one point or another feel like giving up.  This is where the staff comes into play – God the Good Shepherd, with his staff, will guide us back to his side.

This stuff is that symbol of guidance and preservation.  He brings us back to himself constantly.  In the great priestly prayer of Jesus, He prayed that none that was given to him shall be lost.  I pray constantly that I would persevere to the end – to finish well and I do so with fear and trembling as the apostle Paul described.

Conclusion
Looking at this portion of the psalm, I am comforted because it tells of the reality of battles – one with the outside and one within as well.  His rod is to protect me from the outside attack and the staff is to guide me from battles within.  They are indeed a comfort to us.  May God comfort you as well with HIS ROD and HIS STAFF.  God bless you.