August 3, 2022

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.

Psalm 23:4

Discipline and disapproval are not always the same thing. But because our imaginations are affected by Satan’s temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden, we often assume that our experience of consequence signifies God’s rejection of us in sin. Nothing could be further from the truth - even though Christians do not experience moral perfection in this life, God’s discipline of us is a work to bring forth an increase in righteousness, as John 15:3 indicates:  “the branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…” Additional passages in Proverbs and Hebrews both draw us to the truth that loving fathers discipline their children. When the Psalmist draws us into his comfort drawn from God’s rod and staff, we are invited to consider and even rest in God’s discipline for us, dark as our road may be. The rod, is a weapon used to ward off predators and settle issues among the herd. The staff is an instrument of guiding, which sometimes points the direction sheep should travel, other times it blocks the wayward’s path. After all, we are all prone to wander. So, where can we find rest in the midst of discipline? It is not in our ability to conjure meanings behind the events in our lives, or puzzling out “what God might be telling us” through negative circumstances. It is resting in the faith that our God and shepherd who wields them is good, and uses them for our good. Even though we might not relish being blocked from wandering, or clap for joy when we feel the bite of pruning shears.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:33-34

-Matt Allhands