Comforted!

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. Psalms 23:4 KJV

Here we see that there will be times when it seems that the Shepherd is not there. It will seem that I have been left to my own devices. The experience of the shadow of death is something all sheep must go through. We are sheep in a world of wolves and lions, who care nothing about the sheep and are willing to tear us to pieces. As soon as I start the day, it has to be a daily routine of total dependence on the Shepherd.

Let's not forget: what gives me courage in the face of death isn't what I know or have, but who I know and belong to. You can live near, know the name of the shepherd, even be friends with some of the sheep of His fold, but the ultimate question is: "Does the Shepherd know you as His own?" You can live all your life on your church's altar, yet that cannot secure you a place with God in Eternity. The  Shepherd guarantees the safety and security of all who belong to his fold. He says He is with me. As sheep, I must never lose sight of this truth. It is this truth that the devil will attack, because he knows that once he can convince you that you are alone and without help, he can swoop in to consume and destroy.

What are the instruments of the Shepherd to achieve this state of safety? It is the rod of discipline and self control and the staff of guidance working out God's purpose for my life. No sheep can escape it unless it is dead or has changed ownership, but as long as I belong to Him, this is a necessary part of my making. And what do the rod and staff achieve: comfort. 

It sounds ridiculous, but with God sometimes, nothing is ever what it looks like. How can something the world understands to be pain be something that brings you joy? How does an experience meant to break you down build you up? How would this comfort work and what does it mean? This comfort is God's way of saying "I have got your back". It matters in whose hands these things have been formed and fashioned. They can never work against the sheep in the fold of God unless the Lord allows it. The Shepherd is like a pharmacist, sure and certain of the ailment as well as the appropriate prescription to treat the illness. 

So I rest and relax in the love, care and attention of the Shepherd. I know that I am safe in Him, since nothing happens without His permission. I know the Shepherd, and that is enough for me. I know who I belong to and serve, and I know that all that He applies will end up for my good. What greater comfort can anyone give? His time of favour is here.