What the rod and staff (Psalm 23) are actually for...

It is human nature to cry out to God when we are in trouble, asking “Why God? Why did you bring this on me?”

But we must realize that God does not cause us to be sick nor does He delight in burdening us with sorrows. On the contrary the bible says in Isaiah 53:5 “…the chastisement of our peace was upon Him…” Jesus suffered all our sorrows so that all may be well with us.

 David says in Psalm 23, “Even though "I" walk through the valley of the shadow of death...."  It is we who go into the valley; it is we who get caught in the traps the devil sets for us.

But the rest of the verse says..."....You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me"

Previously, I was very much under the impression that the rod and staff were for us who go astray; to bring us back on track with a holy smack.

But I am glad that Our Lord is nothing like that. According to the Word, the good shepherd would leave his flock to go after one lost sheep, (John 10); with the rod and the staff  he will tear apart the young lion and the bear to save his sheep, (1 Sam 17:36); but most of all the Good Shepherd (Jehovah Rohi), the Lion of the tribe of Judah, came into this world as a Lamb, the Lamb of God who took away our sins (John 1:29); the Creator died so that His creation might be redeemed by believing in Him; “…whosoever believes in Him shall nor perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)

So as the psalmist says “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psalm 107:2)