The comfort of the rod and staff

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 staff, they comfort me.’ (Psalm 23:4 NIV, 1984)

I grew up in rural North Yorkshire. There were lots of sheep about, and lots of farmers, but I don’t remember ever seeing a shepherd with a rod and staff. Tractors and wellies were a much more common sight. While I can understand immediately the comfort of the LORD being with me, I have had to work a little harder to understand how the rod and the staff are comforting. What even are they? It seems that the rod is a weapon used to protect us from the enemy without and to help count the sheep to check that they are all there. The staff is used to guide – leading the sheep to green pastures and quiet waters – and also to protect us from ourselves as we are prone to wander. 
There are three shepherds I’d like to think about in this article: 

• David, who wrote Psalm 23, started out as an actual shepherd looking after actual sheep.
• The LORD is our shepherd, which is where the Psalm opens.
• Church leaders as shepherds, responsible for shepherding their flocks.

David, the actual shepherd

David knew what it was to be a shepherd. While he was looking after the sheep, he fought to protect his flock from predators:
‘But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear”’. (1 Samuel 17:34-37a)

You may read this and be thinking, ‘yeah, I could take on a lion or a bear!’ I’m not that brave. I don’t imagine that I am going to make a career change to become a farmer in a country which has lions and bears. But, if I did find myself in that position, and if a lion or bear came and attacked some sheep I was looking after and had the sheep in its mouth, I’d be inclined to think that I’d lost that sheep. Not so with David – he took on the lion and bear, and he won. He put his life on the line to rescue the sheep from the mouth of the enemy, and kill the predators. Does that remind you of anyone?

Jesus, the good shepherd
 

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:10)

Jesus is the ultimate shepherd, the chief shepherd. He died for us, and is incredibly protective of us. Like a mother or father should be protective of their child. As a husband should be protective of his wife. Later in that same chapter of John, we learn that Jesus won’t let any of his sheep be snatched out of his hand (John 10:28).  God the Father won’t let any of the sheep be snatched out of his hand either (John 10:29). 

That is so deeply reassuring. I became a Christian at university. I remember feeling anxious about whether I could lose my salvation. The last verse of the song In Christ Alone provided deep reassurance: neither the devil nor human beings could take me from God’s protective hand. So, the good shepherd protects us from those who wish to snatch us from his hand. And because the shepherd is God (and with it omniscient, omni-present, omnipotent and eternal) we can be totally confident that he is able to protect us. That doesn’t mean that no harm will befall us, but it does mean that he is able to keep us in relationship with him. Psalm 23 assures us that he will be with us even in the darkest valley. Jesus’s closing words in Matthew provide the same reassurance: ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

David’s experience of being shepherded by the LORD

David writes of the LORD as his shepherd. It is noteworthy that David takes comfort from the shepherd’s rod and staff while walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It’s all in verse 4. The Bible tells us quite a lot of David’s story.  We know that he had an eventful life (understatement). Even a cursory read of 1 and 2 Samuel makes it clear that David had a lot of enemies: the Philistines and other neighbouring countries which warred against Israel/Judah; Saul (David’s king and father-in-law) tried to kill David because he was jealous that David was a better soldier than he was and got more praise. Saul then used his power as king to bring the entire force of the state against David; there was civil war when David eventually did become king; later on, David’s own son turned on him and stole the kingdom from him. He fled for his life on more than one occasion, living with social outcasts, taking refuge with an enemy state and pretending to be mad. So, here’s a man who knew what it was to have enemies. 

He’s also a man who knew personal failure and the power of temptation. The fact that he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband, Uriah, killed in an attempt to cover it up is recorded in the Bible for successive generations of believers to hear/read. Our circumstances aren’t the same as David’s and the threats we face may well be different. But the shepherd remains the same, and he is 100% able and willing to protect his sheep (i.e. to protect us spiritually and to keep us walking with him) - even as we walk through the darkest places. One of the ways in which he does that is through church leaders.

Church leaders as shepherds

Jesus is chief shepherd. Church leaders are described as shepherds in the New Testament, and they are called to shepherd their flocks. It may be helpful to set out some Bible passages here:

‘To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.’ 
(1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV, 1984)

‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.’  (Acts 20:28-29 NIV, 1984)

Hebrews 13:17 brings home the magnitude of the responsibility: ‘Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.’ (NIV, 1984)

Being a church leader is a weighty responsibility. Church leaders are responsible to Jesus for their flocks – for feeding them, leading them, and protecting them. At times, sheep may need to be protected from themselves through either a gentle word of caution or encouragement, or occasionally through church discipline. I want to acknowledge that this may feel uncomfortable or jarring for some. Tragically, some have experienced abuse at the hands of Christian leaders, or other leaders. That can make trust very hard. Others may not have experienced abuse personally, but feel wary of the risk. There have been so many stories in the news about abuse by church leaders. It would be naive to think it couldn’t happen to us. Others may be uncomfortable with what may feel like someone else telling them off or telling them what to do, or judging their choices/lifestyle. I can understand that discomfort and those fears. I have had to wrestle with what the Bible says in this area. It has cost me something to submit to God’s word. What has most helped me is the experience of good church leadership. That has been balm for my soul and has enabled me to taste and see that the LORD is good.  

The comfort of being shepherded by church leaders

I am so grateful for the elders/pastors (past and present) at my church. As I think about what I am most grateful for, it boils down to the fact that they take their duties as shepherds seriously and I trust their characters.

• They seek to lead by example and in accordance with biblical principles. I see something of Jesus in the way in which they live their lives and conduct themselves. In a world where leadership and power are so often abused, they seek to be gentle servant-leaders in the model of Christ. That is so important – it is easier to accept something you find hard when you trust the people who made that decision or said that thing, and know that it is coming from a place of love.
• They clearly, faithfully and pastorally teach the word of God week after week. They aren’t afraid to take on the more challenging passages and topics, including not only teaching on sexuality and gender, but also doing sermon series on books like Ezekiel, Numbers and Leviticus. This is feeding the sheep. They prepare Bible study notes for city group leaders to lead weekly Bible studies in small groups. They give careful consideration to whom they allow to lead city groups, making sure that those in leadership positions agree with the church’s doctrinal basis (important to avoid false teaching slipping in). I’ve learned the hard way how much doctrine matters, and I want my church leaders to doggedly and unapologetically guard biblical faithfulness – as they are called to do (2 Timothy 1:13-14, Titus 1:9, Acts 20:28-31, 1 Timothy 6:20-21, Jude 1:3).
• I take great comfort from the fact that my pastors regularly pray for everyone in the church. I know all of the pastors to some extent and some of them well. Those who know me well know at least something of what is going on in my life, including areas where I’d really appreciate prayer. There is a weekly opportunity at the gathering to fill in a prayer request card to help inform the elders’ prayers. This is one of the ways in which they exercise their responsibility to protect the sheep.
• On a couple of occasions one of the elders has given me a gentle word of caution (the gentleness is important) about something small and I have been grateful. How much easier to make an early course correction than to wait until you’ve walked miles in the wrong direction.  It has given me a sense of safety – like having the bumpers up at the bowling alley (obviously that analogy only goes so far).  
• I haven’t ever experienced church discipline, and hope never to need it. It sounds uncomfortable, right? So why do I take comfort from the fact that I am confident that, if I did stray, one of the elders at my church would have a conversation with me and that, if necessary, they would exercise church discipline? I think it comes down to two things: 

1.  What matters most? My deepest desire is to walk with Jesus to the end of my days. I want to: finish the race and receive the crown of righteousness; see Jesus face-to-face; know perfect love and restored relationships; receive a resurrection body; reunite with my Christian friends for all eternity; and see the new creation in all its splendour. I also want the freedom, peace, joy, hope and love that come in the here and now from walking with Jesus. Straying from the narrow path would put that all in jeopardy. It is therefore kind to take steps to warn those who are straying of the risks and to help them to get back on the path of life. That’s what Jesus did. People were (and are) free to make their own choice and to choose the wide road, but he warned them of the consequences. Church leaders are called to follow in the steps of Jesus who cried over the people of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). Paul warned the Ephesian church night and day for three years with tears and so fulfilled his duty to them before God. (Acts 20:31).
2. Do I trust the elders? This is crucial. It is obviously easier to have that trust with the elders one knows better. It is so important that church leaders know both the Bible and their sheep well, and that they love and fear God and love their flock. I have listened to them preach and know that they are seeking to be biblically faithful. I have watched their lives and seen their gentleness. I have talked with them and know they fear God. I have heard what is on their hearts as they have prayed for me.  I have felt their love for me in kind actions. That doesn’t mean that they will get everything 100% right (none of us do), but I trust their hearts and their motivation. I therefore trust that they would have the wisdom and discernment to know when I need encouragement and compassion and when a firmer hand would be more appropriate.  And, most importantly, I trust that they would be motivated by love.

What’s your church like?

That’s a glimpse into my church. What’s your church like?  I am conscious that among those reading this article, there may be very different experiences of church:

• Some of you may be in good churches with shepherds who faithfully teach the Bible, care well for their flock, and foster supportive community. That is a real gift from God and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Throw yourself into the life of the church and build strong relationships there.  If you need to move to a different location in the future, there is wisdom in checking that there will be a biblically faithful church wherever you are moving to – before committing to the move. Sadly, it is not guaranteed.
• Some may be in churches which are not holding fast to biblical teaching with grace and compassion. That can be a hard thing both to experience and to acknowledge, particularly where we have built up relationships over a number of years or are committed to serving. The decision to leave a church should not be undertaken lightly nor for trivial reasons. But changing churches is likely to be necessary for your spiritual wellbeing if your church is not holding fast to biblical teaching. If you have any doubt about this, can I gently encourage you to dig into it? What is causing you to have that doubt? Is it just a question mark in your mind or are you already pretty sure that there is an issue? Is there anything you need to do to help you to decide what to do (e.g. having a conversation and praying with a trusted Christian friend or church leader or digging into what the Bible says is essential for churches/church leaders) or do you actually already know in your heart that it is time to change church? What is stopping you from taking that next step?
• Others reading this article may not currently be part of a church family. Perhaps you have been hurt in the past. Possibly you drifted away. Maybe there are other reasons. If you are a follower of Jesus (or interested in finding out more about what that means), may I gently encourage you to look for a good local church – one which holds out biblical truth with love and compassion? Walking the narrow path can be hard. We need local Christians to encourage us on our journey, and to help us thrive in our faith and finish the race.  Why not check out some church websites and online sermons today and go in person this coming Sunday? It might be one of the most important decisions you ever make.

Shepherded by the good shepherd

Ultimately, whatever our current churches or church leaders are like, and whatever our past experiences have been, we are ultimately shepherded by Jesus. With his loving presence, we need not fear even the very darkest and most testing of times (and some reading this will have known very difficult times). 

The rod and staff are signs of Jesus’s love for us and of our status as children of God. Hebrews 12 reassures us that ‘the Lord disciplines those he loves... God is treating you as sons... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it’. He loves us far too much to let us continue on paths which will destroy us. If we ever doubt that love, we just need to remind ourselves that he is the shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep. Jesus so loved us that he walked the darkest valley alone, temporarily forsaken by the Father, so that we would be spared that (Mark 15:33-34).

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.