The Rod Of Comfort Series

Title: “How Can The Rod Comfort?”

Psalms 23: 4

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil: For You are with me; Your Rod & Your Staff, the comfort me.”

While I was in Africa, God really gave me a message on the Valley & how He is not only with us on the Mountain Top, but He is also with us when we face the Valleys of Life.

But there is a Particular part of this verse that caught my attention & it is the part that says, “Your Rod & Your Staff, they comfort me.”

I asked myself, “How can the Rod & the Staff be an Instrument of Comfort?” As a Youth growing up, my mother’s rod didn’t seem very comforting.

When my mom went to be with the Lord, I had the Privilege of getting to preach her Funeral. It was hard in some ways but in other ways it was easy because she lived the Life.

I think that Psalms 23: 4, must have been one of my mother’s favorite verses. She definitely felt like it was Inspired of God because she believed in the ministry of the Rod. She believed in Corporal Punishment.

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On more than one occasion my mother would apply the “Board of Education” to “The Seat of my Understanding.” And I love my mother to this day, for loving me enough to use the Rod.

Some of you might be saying to yourselves, “I just don’t believe in Corporal Punishment.” You are entitled to what you believe & I’m not going to try to change you, but I believe that it is Biblical.

Psalms 22:15

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the Rod of Correction will drive it far from him.”

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Proverbs 29:15

“The Rod & Reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

Proverbs 13:24

“He who spares his rod hates his Son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly or early.”

I can tell you without a Shadow of a Doubt my mother really loved me! She disciplined me early in my Life & I learned as a boy, “If you cross the boundaries, there will be a price to pay.”

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We live in a Society where many people aren’t afraid to cross the Boundaries, because they know they won’t be held responsible for their actions.

In the Middle East the Shepherd will carry a “Rod” & “Staff”. The Shepherd takes great pride in these two pieces of Equipment.

He learns very quickly how to throw his Rod, with amazing speed & accuracy. It becomes his main weapon of Defense, not only for the Sheep, but also for himself.

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The Rod becomes an Extension of the Shepherd’s Arm. It stood as a Symbol of “Strength”, “Power” & “Authority”. He relied upon the Rod.

The Rod, his Weapon of Power is a continuous comfort to him. With the Rod in his hand, he is able to face any situation that might come his way.

The Rod speaks to us of “The Word of God”. It is God’s Expressed Intent to Mankind. It is the extended activity of God’s Mind & Will for Man.

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I. The Shepherd’s Rod was used for many Reasons.

1. It was used as an Instrument of Direction to Guide wayward Sheep from wandering Astray.

We are living in a time where people have gotten away from the Bible & they are doing what is right in their own eyes. This is the reason why so many people are Hurt & Confused.

It is reassuring to be able to turn to the Word of God & say, “God, I need your Direction because I don’t know what to do.”

-I need Your Word to Guide me.

-I need Your Word to keep me on Course.

-It keeps me from worldly Confusion.

-And it give me Comfort!

2. The Rod is used by the Shepherd, for the Welfare & Discipline of the Sheep.

If a Shepherd saw a Sheep wandering away on its own;

-approaching danger.

-getting too close to the edge of a cliff.

-He would use his rod to get its attention.

-Thank God for the Rod.

-This Book helps us to walk in Righteousness.

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Sometimes, we are just like Sheep & we begin to Stray. We get off of the right path & our Shepherd Loves us enough to use the Rod on us!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God & is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for instruction in Righteousness.

“That the Man of God may be Complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”