Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)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.
The valley of the shadow of death
ROD+STAFF
The Rod: Authority The Word 1. Protection 1 Samuel 17:32–37 (NIV) 32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." 33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you."
"We are comforted by the fact not that just that God is all powerful but that we share enemies!"
2. Examination + Identification Ezekiel 20:37(NIV) I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
___ "The Rod of Correction" ___
The Staff: Guidance/ Leadership
The Leadership of the Holy Spirit
1 Samuel 17:40 (NLT) He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd's bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
1. Visibility "The Holy Spirit makes Jesus visible." John 14:26 (NIV) 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.
2. Drawing
John 6:44 (NIV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…
3. Guiding
John 16:13 (NLT): When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. Romans 8:14 (NLT) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
4. Rescuing
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT) Listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
