2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
My ladies and I are reading "Quiet Confidence for a Woman's Heart" by Elizabeth George. This is a study of Psalm 23. In Chapter 8 Elizabeth George looks at Psalm 23:4 – “…I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
We begin Chapter 8 with the introduction of Jehovah-Shammah, “Jehovah is there” and is found in Ezekiel 48:35. “We have God’s promise of restoration, comfort and hope.”
“The uniqueness and glory of Israel’s religion had always been the presence of God dwelling in their midst.” The children of Israel had the presence of God with them by cloud in the day, pillar of fire at night, then the tabernacle and later the temple of God. Because of their sin, Israel had been taken into captivity and away from the presence of God as they had known. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God told Israel that He would return them to the land of Judah. Ezekiel also told them that Jehovah would also be there, thus we know Jehovah as Jehovah-Shammah.
Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there. The Lord is there when we are walking beside still waters or a raging sea. The Lord is there when all is well and when we have received bad news. The Lord is there in our ups and in our downs. We can proclaim that Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there! Isaiah 43:2 tells us:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.Also in Psalm 23:4 David goes on to say “your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Wow! We have the promise of comfort in these tools as we walk the path set before us. God will take care of us!
Most animals were created with a way to defend themselves. Some animals have claws, or speed, or shells, or fangs, or even a smell. What do sheep have to protect themselves? They have a shepherd who has a rod. “…the shepherd leads his sheep through tall grass, swinging the club back and forth to prepare the way for his sheep. And with his rod of defense, the shepherd can beat off the enemies of the flock – eagles, snakes, wild animals, mountain lions, bears, wolves, coyotes and even rustlers.”
The second tool the shepherd has with him is a staff. He uses this to care for his flock by getting the sheep to follow. A tap on the staff on the leg or head brings the sheep into position or tells the sheep to lie down. We, like the sheep, sometimes need the staff of our Shepherd’s love tugging at our hearts.
Here are two thought provoking questions the author asks at the end of Chapter 8. Take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
1. How does the knowledge of the Shepherds weapons and His ability to use them on your behalf comfort you? And in what specific situations?
2. As you think about your day, your week, the year ahead, and the path of the future, how does the promise of God’s presence comfort you?
Isn’t it comforting to know that first God is there for us, no matter what, no matter when and secondly He has a rod and staff to comfort us!
Let’s pray. Father, we thank You that we can proclaim You as our Jehovah Shammah, our God is there! We thank You for the promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. We thank You for Your rod and staff that bring us comfort as well. I pray Father for those reading this today that need to know that You are there for them. May they take comfort in the words shared and experience You today as their Jehovah Shammah. May You encourage them and uplift them in a mighty way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessings,
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