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Psalm 2 — Part 8
“Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me”(Psalm 23:4).
The rod is for correction.“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him … The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 22:15; 29:15). “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live” (Hebrews 12:9).
The staff is for strength and support in our pathway of faith. “By faith Jacob … worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff” (Hebrews 11:21).
David valued both the Lord’s correction and His support, and we certainly need both from our Shepherd. We don’t always appreciate it at the time, but, when we have learned the lesson and lean fully on Himself, then we can say, “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). Then we have found true comfort.
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