Ponderings before bedtime.

PSALM 23:4

"...for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me"

Just something I'm reading through right now. I heard this a little different tonight...

I was thinking a little bit about what the line "your rod and your staff, they comfort me" means. This is just a quick wondering that I wanted to put down.

When I think of a shepherd in this chapter, I think of him taking care of his sheep. For me, I've always been able to quote and repeat this chapter with pretty good ease. It's one I've heard all of my life. Tonight I finally stopped to think about the "your rod and your staff" part. I imagine when a shepherd is leading and guiding his sheep, that he has to take his rod/staff and tap the sheep on the side...however often the sheep need this...so that they are reminded that the shepherd is here to take care of them and that "yes- he's still here."

I am totally a sheep right now. Which is fine. I have to be reminded of things over and over at this point. I need that tap on the side multiple and I mean MULTIPLE times a day. The Lord provides a little touch, a tap to remind me that He's still here. He knows the way to go. He takes the responsibility as my Father of caring for me. And for me, his rod and staff truly do comfort me right now.

So, I'm about to go to bed. I'm absolutely exhausted in so many ways. I'm anxious that I won't sleep well. That I'll wake up and fear the dread that may be ready to meet me. But I'm choosing to claim that the Lord is good and that He loves me. If that meets me when I wake, He is already there.

My prayer for tonight from Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I'm claiming that as truth. Not feelings - which change. But because that is what I know to be true. Even if I don't feel it.