A Rod and Staff for Your Darkest Days
Psalm 119 | September 12 – 18, 2023
At the conclusion of Psalm 119, verses 153-176 circle around a worshipful plea for redemption, deliverance, and mercy in the dark night of the soul. The Psalmist turns to God’s word, clinging to the promises found in the commandments, testimonies, precepts, and rules. How are rules and commandments supposed to help us through the heaviest seasons of our lives?
Think of them as God’s shepherding rod and His shepherding staff. His instruments of grace and mercy as He shepherds us through our most difficult moments. We can see Psalm 119:153-176 as an exposition on the familiar words from Psalm 23:
“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 your staff, they comfort me.”
Throughout the years I’ve walked with Christ, I’ve experienced a few dark nights. The shadows during those seasons were thick and menacing. The Lord shepherded me safely through by His blood and the word of the testimony of the saints (Revelation 12:11). His word has come to mean more to me in how it restores me and strengthens me for what more may come in my lifetime. God’s word serves as a rod and staff of loving discipline, protection, and guidance.
God’s Word is Comforting in the Shadow of Death
Being comforted by God’s word is more than simply being told everything will be ok. The idea of turning to His testimonies is a matter of being reminded of how He is a God who lives up to His name, His reputation, and His unfailing record of keeping His promises. By those truths, there is an inspiration to worship, like in verses 161-162, “Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.” God’s word also brings mercy and healing: “Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!” (Psalm 119:153-154).
God’s Word is Clarifying in the Shadow of Death
Psalm 119:169-170 says, “Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.” We can have understanding of God’s thoughtful intent for allowing us to pass through the shadowlands. He is never in reactive mode but rather a loving Father who draws out growth in us, maturing us through adversity. He refocuses our attention on Christ. One of my favorite songs we’re currently singing at Grace Chapel is Christ Our Hope in Life and Death. There is a line that says,
“Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh?
Unto the shore, the rock of Christ.”
God’s Word is Corrective in the Shadow of Death
Verses 175-176 say, “Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” I’ve heard it said that the difference between discipline and punishment is that punishment focuses on the past while discipline focuses on the future. The dark times can also serve as God’s instruments of loving, life-giving discipline. Not in a punitive, punishing way but in a corrective, redirecting, restorative, redeeming way. Did you catch that at the beginning of verse 175? “Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me." He is a God of restoration and He is faithful to complete that work in you, especially through shadowlands. (Philippians 1:6)
May God’s perfect and Holy word, His rod and His staff, be a felt comfort as He lovingly shepherds you through.
