God our bodyguard.

God our bodyguard.

Psalm 23:4

Tonight we find ourselves at the half way point of this Psalm. Verse 4 is a picture of transition. A good shepherd always keeps his sheep on the moving. As autumn approaches and snow reaches the higher elevations, the shepherd begins to move his sheep toward home.

It is during this time that the flock is entirely alone with the shepherd. There will always be tight places, difficulties, and dangers in this life but we have the confidence of knowing that the shepherd will never take his sheep in a direction he has never been. The shepherd always goes ahead to prepare a place.

John 14:3.

1. His presence.

Despite avalanches, poisonous plants, predators and terrible storms, the sheep would not have to fear because the shepherd would comfort them.

He is with us in every situation, every disappointment, every dark trial and even our distressing dilemmas.

Bodyguards always surround the one they are protecting. They provide a safe haven in the midst of trouble, threats, and terror. We have true confidence that God will never abandon us. He is with us to the very end of the age.

His presence is with us as the road that leads home travels through dark places and deep valleys that are full of shadows, and whipping winds of adversity. We are not to settle in these places but keep moving.

It has been said that a valley has an exit and an entrance. On the other side of the valley we have a greater view of God. A canyon has only one way in.

Some of you know what it is like to walk through the dark valley of death, depression, and desertion but you are fully aware of the presence of the shepherd as He leads you to higher ground. As we grow in Christ it seems that we develop an attitude of quiet acceptance of every adversity we face.

John 14:15-18, 26.

These valleys provide us with cool, gentle refreshment for our tired soul. The valley is where the sheep find the richest feed and best forage-strength for the climb. God’s presence always provides us our source of strength and courage.

1. His powerful arsenal.

God our bodyguard is always packing some heavy duty arsenal to protect us. In the Middle East the shepherd carried a rod and a staff.

1. The rod.

Ø      The extension of his arm.

Ø      A symbol of power, strength, and authority.

Ø      A safeguard for protection, connection and discipline examination.

Ø      It controls the sheep.

For us the rod of God is His holy word. There is no substitute for the scriptures when we are faced with coping with the complexities of our very own changing society.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

1. The staff.

The staff is very unique weapon and it is used for the sheep’s benefit. The staff speaks of kindness and longsuffering.

The staff draws the sheep into and intimate relationship. It reaches out to the young and the old.

Ø      The staff guides the sheep; it offers the sheep reassurance of the proper path laid out for the sheep.

Ø      The staff is used to rescue stubborn sheep back onto firm and stable ground when they have fallen into trouble waters and briars.

Ø      The staff is the Holy Spirit-He frees us from the entanglement of sin with tenderness and compassion.

John 6:44; 16:13.