Our Good Shepherd

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"Our Good Shepherd" By Diane Webb

Psalms 23: 4—"Ye, 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."

Is there a person in the world who has not heard or repeated this most famous of passages? It holds words of comfort for those facing peril or life threatening circumstances. It is in books, poems, and movies. Everyone knows it means not to be afraid. The verse promises God will comfort us. David, being a shepherd, uses shepherd's imagery to illustrate God's desire to comfort us in times of stress, danger, and fear. It does not promise we will not die, get hurt, or suffer. It promises God will be with us every step of the way offering support and guidance. So many times in the Bible God and Jesus are referred to as shepherds and we the sheep. The 23^rd Psalms is the greatest example of this analogy. Other shepherd and sheep imagery bring to mind protection, love, and comfort as well. For example, Jesus tells about a shepherd leaving his ninety-nine sheep to find the one who is lost. Then Jesus says this is how our heavenly Father feels about us; how important each and every sheep is to him (Matthew 18: 12-14). John 10: 11 & 14-15 provides another example of Jesus as the good shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep. We so easily and readily accept the analogy of God and Jesus as the shepherds and us, his followers, the sheep. Many, however, find it difficult to accept this when it applies to children whom God has blessed us with. A rod is used by a shepherd to guide sheep in the right path (so they will not fall off the side of the mountain)--to tap on one side if the sheep might fall that way (so he can move back onto the safe path), to tap gently on the other side if danger exists on that side (maybe a poisonous plant), and to apply a little pressure to the rear if the sheep need to move a little faster. Never, however does a good shepherd hit his sheep. Shepherds use the shepherd's rod to guide, protect, and comfort his sheep--not to hit his sheep when they disobey. Most Christians agree children need to be disciplined and spankings are an acceptable form of punishment if that is what is needed to keep a child on the right path. However, when scripture is used to hurt, create fear, maim, subjugate, and intimidate, it is not being applied using the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Even Satan can (and does) quote scripture to achieve his own goals (Matthew 4: 6). The Bible says "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath" (Ephesians 6: 4). If the punishment you are using produces anger or fear in your child then you are not applying scripture accurately. Matthew 18: 6 warns against causing a child to sin. What better way to make a child sin than to make him angry through abuse? Why would God and Jesus make it so obvious we, as his sheep, are loved, protected, and safe with him? The rod he uses with us creates a sense of safety and comfort even when used to push us on the rear. Would it not make sense to treat our children the same way? In the end, we are to be comforted by our good shepherd when facing peril. He may tap us on the side or rear to keep us on the right path but this only increases our security. We know he loves us enough to keep us from falling off the side of the mountain. And we, as good sheep, need to protect our young in the same manner—with God's help, using a shepherd's rod.

Dear Lord I ask today for discernment. Help me always interpret scripture through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Never, Lord, let me heed the voice of Satan when reading your word. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.