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| Lesson 4 |
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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Walking in the night, all alone, in a fearful place where bad things happen can be very scary. David must have experienced fear, death and danger many, many times for his sheep and himself. Wild animals. Robbers. Treacherous terrain. Snakes. How many nights would he have to return home late, through dark valleys? Valleys where you sensed that you could die here. But every time he returned home safely, every time he beat wild animals off, every time he got victory, his faith in God increased. It grew. Upto the point where he could say I will fear no evil - even in the most dangerous of situations. He knew he was not alone…for you are with me.
How can we explain his confidence in taking on Goliath? It has to be what he learned and experienced when he took care of the sheep. And how he saw God was on his side, delivering him and giving him victory while he was protecting his flock. His trust and faith in God grew in the valleys and fields when he had to have close encounters with death many times in order to save his flock from being killed. He won his battles all alone, but he knew it was because God was with him. Amazing!
What are some difficult situations you are facing right now? You may have to walk through difficult situations at times - medical emergencies, death of a loved one, cancer that is spreading, bad accidents, loss of job, children running away, bitter fights, shortage of money, pressure at work and everywhere…it seems that you are walking in a dark valley with the shadow of death all around. Write down some stressful situations you are facing.
How brave are you at these times? Are you ready for battle? Do you sense victory, no matter what happens because God is with you? Can you be like David, ready to battle because you know you will win? Do you say…...Bring it on, I am ready, because God fights for me….What is your attitude? Defeated? Or ready to take on WHATEVER because you trust in God's deliverance.
Every shepherd carried a rod and a staff. He carried the rod at his belt. It was a stout piece of wood, perhaps three feet long, with a lump of wood the size of an orange at one end of it. The staff was a long stick with its top shaped like a hook or crook. Always the shepherd walked with it in his hand, and, when a sheep showed signs of straying, or got caught in a bush, he would stretch out and pull it back with the crook.
Just like David would use his rod and staff for the sheep, he sees how God takes care of him. The Lord also has his rod and his staff. You may get prodded or pushed, at times, but it is for your good, for your protection and to keep you on your path. The rod and staff are there to comfort you and know that you are cared for and loved.
How can a rod and staff bring comfort? W. Phillip Keller in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 brings some clarity to the issue. A rod and a staff are the universal instruments used by shepherds. The rod serves four basic functions. First, the rod stands "as a symbol of the shepherd's strength, his power, and his authority in any serious situation." Second, it is the instrument the shepherd uses to discipline and correct wayward sheep that wandered off. "With it, the owner is able to carry out effective control of his flock in every situation." Third, the shepherd uses his rod to examine and count the sheep. The Old Testament term was "passing under the rod and this meant not only coming under the owner's control and authority, but also to be subject to his most careful, intimate, and firsthand examination." Finally, the rod serves as an "instrument of protection for the shepherd and his sheep when they are in danger. It is used both as a defense and a deterrent against anything that would attack."
God wants to do this in our lives. Examine us with care to see that all is well. We are good at hiding things, maybe not confessing sin. When we make bad choices, the rod is useful in disciplining us. Do you like the discipline of God? Sometimes it could be a gentle examination, sometimes a whack! It all depends upon our willingness or stubbornness. Confess any unconfessed sin today.
The staff was used solely as a source of comfort for the sheep. How can a curved stick be a source of comfort? First, the shepherd uses it to draw sheep together into intimate relationship. If a newborn lamb is separated from his mother, the shepherd uses the crook of the staff to lift the lamb and reunite it with the ewe. Second, the shepherd uses the staff to draw the sheep "close to himself for intimate examination." He can, for the purpose of establishing relationship, use his staff to pull in timid sheep that would typically keep away from the shepherd. The third purpose of the staff is to guide the sheep. The shepherd will reach out his staff and gently lay it on a sheep. The sheep is comforted by his touch and with some gentle pressure, the shepherd guides the sheep in the direction he desires.
Do you feel God's rod and staff comforting you? The rod can be compared to the Word / Bible. God's Word can be used as a tool to discipline us and prevent us from going astray.
The staff can be compared to the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit and that "the Spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13). The Spirit comforts us.
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
How are you doing as a sheep today? Are you with the flock or have you wandered off? Lost and alone? Are you making your own way in the fields not caring about the others or are you following God's way?
Conclusion
- What are you afraid of? Write these things down. Then Pray. And go and do battle with these things that you are afraid of. Expect to win. Watch and see how God will give you the victory.
- How have you been disciplined in the past by God? Did you resist it or did you accept it? Get together with your discipler / mentor and share somethings that are troubling you.
- How are you allowing God to lead you? Do you go where he wants you to go? Or do you do what HE wants you to do?
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1. For home work: Invite someone who intimidates you to a Bible Talk. Do it every day for a week.
2. Memorize Heb 12:11
Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
3. In Psalm 119 write down the following 10 verses: v9, v18, v62, v71, v97, v99, v105, v136, v164, v176. What is unique about this amazing Psalm?
a. Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
b. Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
c. Psalm 119:62
At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.
d. Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
e. Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
f. Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
g. Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
h. Psalm 119:136
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
i. Psalm 119:164
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
j. Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
4. Read John 14:26, John 16:13, John 16:15.
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:15
All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
5. Read 2 Sam chapters 1 - 12.
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