The One Who Defends and Disciplines Us 

“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.” 

(Psalm 23:4) 

As I reflect on the broken path we find ourselves in this season, we truly are walking through a dark valley. The shadows cast by the unfamiliar terrain and the uncertainty each day brings could easily hide predators who have the ability to cause us great harm: COVID-19, financial hardship, bored children.

However, as we saw in the last devotional, we can find comfort in the fact that our Shepherd is right here with us. Not only has He led us into this uncomfortable place, but He calmly walks at our side as we pass through it. But, according to David’s psalm, our Shepherd doesn’t walk empty-handed.

When shepherds in David’s day were out in the field with the sheep, they would carry two items: a rod and a staff. This morning, we are going to focus on the rod.

The rod was similar to a security-guard’s night stick. It was a small club that is was easy to swing or throw. When a predator would threaten the flock, a shepherd would use it to defend the sheep. But a shepherd wouldn’t use it solely to chase off predators. The rod was also used to correct unruly or foolish sheep.

As Phillip Keller, shepherd and author of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, explains, “If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away on its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.”

So the rod was used both for defense as well as discipline. And its presence in the shepherd’s hands brings the sheep comfort.

You might wonder how discipline can be comforting. Consider these words from Hebrews 12:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as his child. Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as His children.” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

So the discipline we go through is a sign of God’s acceptance and love for us as His children. But His discipline isn’t primarily punitive in nature, but rather formative. The author of Hebrews continues:

“God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10-11)

This season is painful. None of us would choose what we’re going through, and yet it has the potential to produce real spiritual growth in us if we are willing to lean in and trust our Shepherd. 

Admittedly, we could get mad at Him for allowing us to walk through this dark valley, and we’ll get nothing but out of this time but bitterness and disillusionment. 

Or we could fix our eyes on our shepherd and choose to trust Him as we walk with Him through it. If we do, then this season can produce a bountiful harvest of spiritual fruit in our lives: love for God and for those around us, joy and peace in the midst of uncertain circumstances, patience when things don't go as planned, and a greater sense of intimacy with our Heavenly Father to name a few. 

I don’t know about you, but it seems like an easy choice to me.


Father God, you are my Shepherd, and I trust you. I don’t like this painful place I find myself in right now, but I find comfort in the fact that you are with me in it. I’m grateful for the reminder that you defend me and you discipline me for my own well-being. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, and use this time to help me grow. Jesus, in your name I pray, Amen.

Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

If there is one metaphor in scripture that aptly describes this season we find ourselves in, it’s “the valley of the shadow of death.” Every time I open up my news feed, I see the ever-growing numbers of infected and dead around our nation and world. The only number rising faster is the unemployment rate, as schools and businesses shut up shop for the duration of this pandemic. This cannot help but take a toll on us. In fact, last week, two people from my church community were hospitalized for chest-pains, only to find out that it wasn’t a heart attack, but rather anxiety-induced stress. We truly are walking through a dark valley shrouded in death.

Now, the very name suggests that these valleys are places that we never want to find ourselves, and yet there is a reason why the Good Shepherd would lead his flock through them. As we discussed in my previous post, sheep are habitual creatures and will remain in a familiar area even if the grass is gone and the water is polluted. So a good shepherd will often lead his sheep towards better grazing areas. And the valleys are the most natural passage ways from one grazing area to the next. After all, why pick your way along a rocky hilltop when you can walk through the valley?

But David’s description suggests that these valleys are not comfortable places for the sheep. Not only are the unfamiliar territory, but the shadows could be hiding deadly predators who are waiting to tear the sheep apart.

We, too, find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, and the constant barrage of news articles and social media posts warn us of a merciless virus prowling our streets, lurking on doorknobs and flat surfaces, and possibly even floating on the breeze. It’s no wonder we’re fearful.

When sheep find themselves in the dark valley, they have a couple choices: they can run from it, trying to get out of that place as quickly as possible, leaving the shepherd behind in their attempts to reach safety. Or they can draw closer to the shepherd’s side, finding their comfort and confidence in his presence.

In verse 4, David declares his choice: “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me!” In other words, he trusts his shepherd more than he fears the lurking predators. And he knows that he is safest when he is close by his shepherd’s side.

We find ourselves in one of the darkest, most foreboding valleys in our lifetimes. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, let alone next month. And I suspect that many of us are tempted to bolt from this present reality. But while we don’t know where we’re headed, our Shepherd does, and He’s not afraid of COVID-19 or any other evil that stalks this sin-scarred planet.

So while this valley where we find ourselves is painful to be in – and it is – we are right where we need to be because our Shepherd is with us, and He knows where He’s taking us. So fear not, for you do not walk through this valley alone.

Father God, we confess that we are afraid. We don’t like being here in this dark valley, and we want to get out as quickly and painlessly as possible. And yet, as much as we fear this place, we trust you more. So we choose, here and now, to follow your lead and allow you to set the pace. We choose to remain at your side. Amen.