Prayer: Father, I suffer from wrong perceptions on occasion. Your Word is truth and brings me into a correct alignment with You. Help me to discern the deception that is so rampant today. Amen.
Reading: Job 21 key: vs. 7-9
7 Why do the wicked go on living,
growing old and increasing in power?
8 Their children are established in their presence,
their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their homes have peace and are free from fear;
no rod of God is on them.
Attention: There is a word which appears in verse 9, which we associate with discipline. How many times have you heard Proverbs 13:24 recited in defense of a rod being a disciplinary tool?
However, a rod is also called a staff, and in a shepherd’s hands a rod (or staff) was used for defense (Psalms 23:4), as a walking stick (Genesis 32:10), and as a gentle guiding device for sheep (Psalm 23:3b). A rod was also used for measurement (Revelation 11:1). A rod and a staff were also symbols of the prophetic (Exodus 4:2-4; 7:8), priestly (Numbers 17:1-10), and royal offices (Genesis 49:10, Judges 5:14), and for mating your herd of sheep (Genesis 30:25-43).
So, a rod or staff had more uses than discipline. I am wondering with the multiplicity of uses, if the primary purpose of a rod was to show and manifest God’s character as a guide, a walking device, as a prophetic, priestly, royal symbol. Is God capable of discipline? Yes. (Please review Hebrews 12:5-11 if you have any doubt). However, while He disciplines, He also prefers obedience to asking for forgiveness (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
The key passage today shows how deceived we can be about the wicked of our land. It appears to us that nothing ever happens to them. That they are above the law and are invincible. Do not allow the enemy to convince you or deceive you. It is all an illusion. Their end is in sight and retribution will come. Their end is secured according to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; and Ephesians 6: 11-13.
Action: I embrace the awareness that God uses a rod for more than discipline.
Yield: When I yield, I receive the benefits of God’s rod.
Engage: I engage with God, I allow Him to guide me, protect me, defend me with His rod.
Relationship: Relationship with God is full and complete.
Prayer: Father, how lopsided my concept of You if I limit Your rod and character to only discipline. Help me to see You complete and in total as Sovereign and Supreme, as a heavenly Father. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 23
1 A psalm of David.
Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for His Name’s sake.
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 comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of Adonai forever.
Music Video: Rosemary Siemens—He Leadeth Me
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”