A Tap from the Shepherd

Have you ever had a tap from the Lord to move forward? Perhaps you were growing complacent as a Christian or maybe even lazy. So, God spoke to your heart and said, “Get up. Move. Do something.” Or maybe through a set of circumstances God reminded you of the importance of moving forward.

Writing in Psalm 23, David said, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verse 4 NLT).

In David’s time, shepherds used the rod not only for discipline; they also used it along with the staff to lead the sheep forward. The sheep would get lazy sometimes. After a time of grazing in green pastures and drinking from peaceful streams, the sheep would lie on their sides and fall asleep. So, a shepherd would have to give them a good push with the rod and staff.

But shepherds also used their rods and staffs to number the sheep. They would hold out their rods and staffs and count them as they passed by.

In the same way, we need to remember that God knows who belongs to Him. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29 NLT).

God has numbered us. He knows who we are. We are a part of His family. And that brings comfort to us. He is there to number us. He is there to guide us. And when necessary, He is there to lovingly discipline us as well.

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