The tools of the Shepherd are the implements of freedom for the sheep. There is nowhere that we go that the Shepherd doesn’t go to find us and bring us back into alignment with Him. People come in and out of our lives to bring the rod and staff, or He takes people out of our lives who bring only their flesh to correct. Some of the sweetest experiences I have had are people who bring the rod and staff in love. The rod and staff bring change which usually hurts, but then this balm of Gilad soothes the cut and the change brings freedom. That beautiful rod and staff keeps the sheep in perfect alignment with the Shepherd. The sheep have one job to submit to the goodness of the Shepherd, to hear His voice and to follow only Him.
The tools of the Shepherd represent the concern and compassion that a shepherd has for his sheep. The rod conveys the concept of authority, power, discipline and defense of the sheep. The staff represents all that is long suffering and kind. A staff is a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. The Shepherd uses the crooked end to pull the sheep out of danger and if the sheep are hurt from their wandering He will then tuck the sheep close to His heart inside His cloak, and the sheep will be warmed by the Shepherd’s body heat until they have reached the green pastures. Then the Shepherd will make the sheep lie down in the green pasture.
The green pasture doesn’t resemble anything of religion, or of the traditions of man, nor the flesh which self protects and seeks to control. The tools and the green pastures of the Shepherd carry the very essence of our Lord. The green pasture of Jesus our great Shepherd is built on the foundation of love, which emanates authority, power and requires discipline and is the place of great safety for the sheep. The Shepherd makes me lie down~this is a place of great rest and unparalleled trust. My Shepherd is trustworthy.
How beautiful is it the Shepherd “makes me” lie down. At this point in my life I love that He “makes me”! I feel so loved.. The fight for love has cost me my self protection gained by my controlling people and circumstances at the sacrifice of my identity. The fight for love has been long suffering and not without the battle scars from many battles, most of which I was fighting the wrong enemy. The fight for love has required a trust in my Shepherd’s Voice, and standing on His side, on the side that God is good, and a knowing He is not trying to destroy me. The fight for love has caused me to trust those who are trustworthy. I know there is only One who is trustworthy, but He makes those who love trustworthy, and He makes me trustworthy. The fight for love has brought me victory in my relational way of being. The fight for love has brought me authority, identity and legitimacy that can only come from the great and Mighty Shepherd, our King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen..
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