The staff in your hand is not a crutch!
The staff in your Good Shepherd’s Hand is not a crutch, Beloved. My staff is a scepter of Kingship and a rod of My Authority and Majesty.
It brings great comfort to My sheep, yet it is greatly FEARED by the evil one. Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil, Little One of Mine.
I AM your Protector and your Comforter. You are My special possession; My flock under My care. I have laid down My life for you, Beloved, therefore will I not also give you all things freely? Be not afraid. You are under My tender loving care. I encircle you, care for you, and guard you as the apple of My eye.
I AM your God and you are the people of My pasture. Come and lay down in My green pastures and rest. I shall restore your soul. Trust Me to ward off all of the attacks of the enemy. I will protect you from within and from without.
NO plan of the enemy shall succeed against you and NO weapon formed against you shall prosper. The LORD your God is your Good Shepherd. I carry you close to My heart. Be not afraid. I shall guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more.
Hebrew meanings: The shebat שֵׁבֶט shêbeṭ, shay’-bet (rod) has the meaning of a ‘sceptre.’ The primary role of the KING is to protect His people.
The rod is symbolic of the power of God. It is a protection from danger from within and without. A closely related word ‘Shabbath‘ שַׁבָּת shabbâth shab-bawth’ means ‘rest’, which is possible under the competent protection of the shepherd. The mishenah or STAFF has the meaning of support. It is used to draw sheep to the Shepherd.
“But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice and righteousness will be the scepter of Your Kingdom,” Hebrews 1:8 (Psalm 45:6).
“He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth,” Micah 5:4.
“He found him in a desert land, And in the howling waste of a wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye,” Deuteronomy 32:10.
“O LORD, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff; lead your flock, your special possession,” Micah 7:14.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me,” Psalm 23:4.
“for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Today, if only you would hear His voice,” Psalm 95:7.
“He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young,” Isaiah 40:11.
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep,” John 10:11.
“The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more,” Psalm 121:8.
~Deborah Waldron Fry
