How God Shepherded Me Through Trials

There have been many times that my life has been unstable and my future – hazy. But through it all God has been a constant.

God is With Me

After a particularly stressful evening, I awoke the next morning to do my devotions out of Jesus Calling. A recent one was on trusting God.

As I hesitantly opened my Bible to the verses attached to it, I thought about the latest development regarding the prospects for my kids and me.

That’s morning’s scripture directed me to Gen 50:20 where Joseph was addressing his brothers, “You planned to harm me. But God planned it for good. He planned to do what is now being done.”

I felt a prompting from the Holy Spirit,
“Keep reading.”  

I read the next verse.

And then I read it again.

I Will Provide for your Children.

Verse 21, “So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” Joseph was speaking this to his brothers, but it was like God was telling me everything would be okay and that He would take care of my children and me.

I had to read it a few more times for my mind to fully perceive the implication to my own life. I considered this for a while before turning to the second verse the devotional listed.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
You are with me.

Your shepherd’s rod and staff
comfort me.

That led me to thinking…...

What is a rod and staff anyway?

I know they are shepherds' tools but what individual purpose does each one offer?

Many sources list the definitions as being identical but, if they were, why were both mentioned? I mean, was King David playing around with his new thesaurus or something?

The Rod

Shepherd Boy David often used his rod to protect his sheep from danger. In fact, he killed a lion and a bear with his rod to preserve his flock. When you say pack a rod or rod up, then you are equipping yourself with a weapon or power.

Often the rod was used as an instrument of correction or discipline. Proverbs 13:24: If you spare the rod, you are choosing not to properly love your child because you love your children by disciplining them.

Note:

I do not plan to get into how to properly discipline your child. I am merely using it as a point of reference. The rod is merely referring to discipline.

The Staff

The staff was often used to define God’s authority and it was often endowed to military leaders. Moses used the staff as part of a tool for God to produce the plagues of Egypt.

He also used it as in instrument to divide the Red Sea so that the Hebrews could safely escape from the Egyptian army. The staff contributed later to producing water from a rock and defeating the Amalekites.

In short, the staff is a sign of God’s supremacy.

Jesus was also often referred to as the Great Shepherd and he, too, uses the analogy of the rod to lovingly correct us while the staff is used to maintain, cherish and embrace us.

So, returning to Psalms 23:4, we have no reason to be afraid because the Good Shepherd is leading and protecting us.

I can go through my dark valley knowing that God will be there showing me the way and preventing harm from overtaking me.

He knows who I am

 He knows who I am. In fact, he has created my delicate inner parts and has knitted me inside my mother’s womb. He knows my name. He has it tattooed on His hand. And, because He knows us so intimately, we can also know Him.

He Knows My Name

Spent today in a conversation.
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if

I was looking for a champion.
In fact, I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me,
But that’s just not my story.

True to who You are,
You saw my heart,
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights.
I’m famous in my father’s eyes.
Make no mistake!
He knows my name.

I’m not living for applause.
I’m already so adored.
It’s all His stage.
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I’m not meant to just stay quiet.
I’m meant to be a lion.
I’ll roar beyond a song.
With every moment that I’ve got

True to who You are.
You saw my heart.
And made
Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights.
I’m famous in my father’s eyes.
Make no mistake!
He knows my name.

I’m not living for applause.
I’m already so adored.
It’s all His stage.
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King.
His forever, held in treasure.
I am loved.

I don’t need my name in lights.
I’m famous in my father’s eyes.

I don’t need my name in lights.
I’m famous in my father’s eyes.
Make no mistake!
He knows my name.

I’m not living for applause.
I’m already so adored.
It’s all His stage.
He knows my name.
He knows my name oh, oh
He knows my name.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the song. Remember that we can know He is going with us through the darkest valleys, leading us and protecting us.

This is something I, too, need to remember. And when I have strayed too far from Him, He will come looking for me, pick me up and carry me on His shoulders.
God bless!