Scripture for Today:  Psalm 23:4  “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.”

My husband could not resist pulling off the side of the road to get this picture.  We have it on our wall with the twenty third Psalm printed below it.  I am not sure if this shepherd is carrying a rod or a staff, but in any case he uses it to keep those silly sheep in line.

When one thinks of the shepherd’s rod for discipline or his staff for guidance, the word “comfort” is not one that comes to mind.  Being on the receiving end of either of those instruments can not possibly be comfortable, quite the opposite.  And yet the psalmist can say that they are a comfort to him in the hard times of life.  They keep the sheep from evil whether it originates from within or without.

There is plenty of evil in my own heart that makes me prone to wander.  There is also the evil around me in the form of predators.  His rod and His staff will keep me from all forms of evil.  My shepherd is my Guide and my Protector.  I belong to Him.

When I fight His rod and staff I am putting myself in harm’s way.  Everything He does is for my own good as He is good.  That is why those uncomfortable instruments He uses with me are a comfort.

Even when all looks dark and desperate when facing death, I can have confidence.  Evil will not win.  No believer ever makes that walk into eternity alone.  He is there.  There is no reason to fear.  My loving Shepherd will keep me safe.

Scripture for Today:  Psalms 56:8  “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle.  Are they not in Your book?”

I could not resist buying this simple bottle at the thrift store the other day.  I enjoy decorating with blue, a trait passed on by my Mother.  It does not hold very much, but it is big enough for a single rose.

There is a bottle belonging to the Lord that holds a lot more.  The liquid it contains is not water but salty tears.  What a moving image this is in our verse today.  The Lord is aware of every tear drop.

King David had plenty of occasions to shed tears.  When he wrote this Psalm he was on the run for his life.  His enemies were constantly after him.  Apparently, real men DO cry.  But he was confident the Lord knew of his circumstances and his feelings.  When David cried out, he was reassured that God was with him and for him.

He sees my tears too.  Although this is poetic imagery, I like to think of Him saving every drop.  It shows me that I am precious to Him.  He even sees the unshed tears.  God’s awareness of my circumstances and emotions would be meaningless if He did not also care.  But He not only cares, He has the power to do something about it!

Like David, I want to give my tears to Him.  He consoles like no other.  He comforts.  He sees and understands.  Just like He did with David, He reassures me that He is on my side.  No other one can dry my tears like He can.  In fact, one day there will be no more tears.  That is because one day, He will wipe away ALL tears from my eyes.