His rod and staff comfort me

We are crossing the halfway point in our journey through the Psalm 23. This familiar Psalm of David is only six verses long. Today we dive into verse 4 as we turn the corner into the second half of Psalm 23. The first four scenes that we have traced through this Psalm so far have been pretty easy to spot because they come rapid-fire one after the next in verses 2-3.

Psalm 23:2–3 NIV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Starting in verse 4 the tone of Psalm 23 is shifting. David takes us from this refreshing picture of beautiful pasture and quiet water to a place which if void of all those luxuries. David says that even in times when all the posh blessings of peace are scarce, the LORD is still the shepherd of his people. Even in the darkest valley, David says that the LORD is still right there with his people. Older English translations take the Hebrew words of Psalm 23 literally—the valley of the shadow of death. It is a reference to the places in Israel where steep and treacherous terrain made travel dangerous. In particular, the road that descended Mount Zion from Jerusalem to Jericho was a steep decline through narrow ravines. Thieves would often lurk in the shadows of these canyons to attack travelers. The narrow passage meant there was no escape from danger. This is the setting Jesus uses when he tells the parable of the good Samaritan. Even in a place of darkness and uncertainty like this, David says that the LORD remains stedfast as the shepherd of his people.

There is another shift in detail as Psalm 23 turns the corner in verse 4. The pronouns go from third person to second person. Verses 2-3 of Psalm 23 speak about God. Verses 4-5 of Psalm 23 speak to God. Suddenly, this Psalm becomes a prayer addressing God directly. And what is it about the presence of the LORD which David finds so comforting even in this dark place? It is the shepherd’s rod and staff which provide security. The tools of a shepherd are now highlighted in this expanding picture of the LORD as shepherd and his people as the gathered flock for which he cares.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Today we are going to take that image of the shepherd’s active protection are bounce forward in Israel’s history from the time of David in Psalm 23 to the time of exile in Isaiah 43.

Isaiah 43:1–13 NIV

1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 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. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

The Courtroom

Let’s start by quickly directing this passage from Isaiah into two parts. Verses 1-7 are the first part. And verses 8-13 are the second part. But the two parts of this passage mark off a dramatic shift of scenes in the bigger picture of Isaiah’s writing.

Isaiah is like a courtroom - God brings charges against his people

beginning in Isaiah 40 God recalls all the ways that he has been faithful to the covenant

In earlier chapters of Isaiah we see something of a courtroom scene. God is taking the nation of Israel to court to stand trial for covenantal failure. Through the words of Isaiah God presents the evidence of his case against the people. Then beginning in Isaiah 40 God recalls all the ways that he has been faithful to the covenant he has made with his people. The exile which God speaks about through Isaiah is the verdict handed down through this heavenly courtroom. God’s people are scattered.

chapter 43 begins something new - God announces redemption and salvation from exile

I have redeemed you; I have summoned you; you are mine; I am with you; I am your savior. | past, present, future

But then in the opening verses of chapter 43 God speaks a new thing. In all these dark places of distress and exile God says, I will not leave you there alone. Just look at the language God uses to speak to his people through the prophet Isaiah. I have redeemed you; I have summoned you; you are mine; I am with you; I am your savior. Just look at the ongoing constancy of God’s action in these verses. The action of the verbs is past, present, and future tense. I have redeemed you—it is already done. I am your savior; you are mine—a present tense reality. I will be with you—a promise to remain faithful to his covenant promise.

covenant of grace - appeal to God’s authority as the creator

These are words of grace. God does not set out terms and conditions for his people in these words from Isaiah. God simply says he has already redeemed the people he loves. He has already done it; he holds onto that covenant even now; he will continue to do it. What does God base this promise upon? There is no mention of a bargain struck between him and the people. The appeal God makes here is higher than that. It is an appeal to his sovereign authority as the creator. Do you see that in verse 1? God says, I can do this because I made you and I made everything that exists. God says to the people of Israel, you are mine. And this is true not because the people of Israel have done such an awesome job living up to the contract. No. God says ‘you are mine’ because he is the one who created you and loves you.

That is the basis for God’s verdict which redeems and vindicates his people. Grace is the standard for God’s covenant decree. It is by the grace of God that he faithfully abides as our shepherd. And this not only applies to an eternal future in which we dwell side by side with Jesus in paradise. The LORD is our shepherd right now here today as well.

The Promise

The shepherd is equipped with everything needed to protect the sheep

The rod and staff which a shepherd used as tools of the trade were meant for the caring of the sheep. The staff, which often would have a curved end could grab hold of a sheep who may be wandering away from the safety of the flock. The rod could be used as protection for the flock from predators. Do you see where this is going? Not only is the shepherd the one who loves and cares for the flock. Not only does the shepherd know the sheep and remain present with the flock. The shepherd is also equipped with everything needed to actively care for and protect the sheep.

are sheep aware of everything that the shepherd does for them?

Here is where I have to step in with a hypothetical question. Are sheep aware of everything that the shepherd does for them? I’ve heard people say that sheep are not the brightest animals; but do they know that? I wonder how often sheep are totally oblivious to absolutely everything the shepherd does on their behalf. I wonder if sheep think to themselves, we sure are smart to find our way beside these quiet waters. I wonder if sheep ever think it is their brilliant strategic planning which has led them to green pastures. I wonder if sheep are even aware of the active involvement of the shepherd whenever a staff reaches out and turns a sheep’s step or pulls one back into the fold.

I am unaware of all the ways God is guiding and protecting my life

Are we so different I wonder? In all of our planning and scheming and strategizing, how often are we totally unaware that real one guiding the steps of our lives is a heavenly shepherd who tends and cares for his flock? For all the times we strive to make our way through difficult adversity, how often do we mistakenly believe that it is somehow our own strength, resolve, and power that navigate us through the dark valleys? Do we even know just how often it is that God—our shepherd—is reaching in on our behalf without us ever knowing or realizing?

do I realize just how dependent I am on God’s constant love and care?

After all, it is not as though—just like the Israelites in the time of Isaiah—we could ever present a stellar resumé in front of God enabling us to make any of these claims on our own. Yet also just like the Israelites in the time of Isaiah, God steps in with grace and declares that we are redeemed and that his presence is forever with us no matter where we go and no matter what may happen. Sometimes, we the sheep catch glimpses of the shepherd’s tender care and we are aware of it. Often it may be that we the sheep of God live completely unaware of our heavenly shepherd’s constant love and care which always surrounds us.

And so these words today from Isaiah 43 which connect us back to Psalm 23 are reminders to us today. It is a reminder that the LORD is our shepherd; his rod and his staff, they comfort us. Our lives are forever secure in the watchful care of our heavenly Father. And this is true on days when we find ourselves in green pastures and beside quiet waters; but this is also just as true on days when we find ourselves in dark valleys.

The Response

It makes a difference. Knowing that the LORD is our shepherd and that we are his sheep makes a difference for us here today in how we live. Even though it is entirely by the grace of God that we are counted as one of his flock, there is a takeaway for us today; there is an application of this passage that fits into our everyday lives right now. And to see that we need to consider how the passage we read from Isaiah 43 ends.

verses 8-13 — still courtroom no longer defendants; now we are called upon as witnesses

Verse 8 takes another turn. Isaiah brings us back into the courtroom again; this time not as defendants who stand accused, but as witnesses to testify. This is what verses 8-13 are about. It is the call of God for his people to bear witness. The life that you have been given is a life that gives witness to the grace of God which has redeemed you and even now continues to hold you. We give witness to the grace of God in how it is we live.

how do we give witness to the saving grace of God?

when I extend grace to others

I have been redeemed and declared righteous before God. This is entirely a gift of God’s grace accepted in faith; there is nothing I do that makes me worthy of it. When I live in such a way that others are extended this same grace, I give witness to the faith I have in Jesus. Whenever I make room in my life to accept and embrace another human being purely in grace, just as God does, I give witness to the faith I have in Jesus. Do you see what God is telling his chosen people through these words in Isaiah? You and I who—in faith—know we have been redeemed are witnesses of that grace into this world not only by the message that we preach, but by the way grace resonates from the way we live. God has redeemed you and called you to be a witness of his grace in your life for others to see.

where do I begin?

In verse 4 of Psalm 23 David turns the conversation to a personal prayer to God. It strikes me in Isaiah 43 just how personal God is with his people in his reply. Just look at how personally close God reveals himself. 10 ‘“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he…11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.’

personal relationship with Christ Psalm 23 & Isaiah 43 are personal and relational

The witness we give to the grace of God is a testimony that begins with relationship. If you hear these words and wonder to yourself, ‘how can my life ever be a witness of the grace of God?’ know that the place where God calls us to begin is in a personal relationship with Jesus. If you need a place to begin, start there. Start with the step of faith that declares by the grace of God that he reaches and touches your heart. Accept and invite Jesus into your life. Let the grace of God enter your life and wash over you. Embrace this gospel truth not just as something you learned about in church, but as something you receive into your heart through faith.

May your life bear witness to a relationship with Jesus that forever changes who you are. May the grace of God so completely fill you that others cannot help but see the love of God in your life. And may the testimony you share by the life you live be grounded in the assurance that the LORD is my shepherd, so that my one great comfort is that I am not my own, but I belong in body and soul to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.