Garden is a growing!
(Please excuse the funny angles)
Good Afternoon
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide],
they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Amplified
The shepherds of Palestine will tell you the purpose of their staff. One such shepherd was asked in what sense the staff could be said to be a comfort for his sheep, the experienced leader of his flock proceeded to explain that in daylight he always carried the staff across his shoulder, and when the sheep saw it, it spoke of the presence of the shepherd (to guide), and thus it was a means of comfort. On the other hand, if night overtook him with the sheep on the mountain side, or if they were caught in a heavy mountain mist so that the sheep could no longer see the staff, then he would lower it, and as he walked he would tap with it on the ground, so that by hearing if not by sight the staff (to guide) comforted the sheep by speaking the presence of the shepherd. If wild animals would prey upon his flock, he could use the rod (to protect) and ward them off. On occasion the lambs would fall into ravines and among brambles. The shepherd would use the crook on the end of the staff for lifting the fallen one to safety. The person who is carrying the rod is the leader or ruler of his flock. The sheep know their shepherd by his rod and they follow him– not any other person who may pass by, or attempt to lead them astray.
David remembered these things and said in effect to himself, :It would be unreasonable to suppose that God has less care for me than I had for the sheep!”
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Trust God for your day…Today.
With my prayers, desiring yours, Leslie
Thoughts of Grace 