THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME

Today’s Text: Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)

Today’s Thoughts: Today we’re going to take a look at the last part of Psalm 23:4. A shepherd uses his rod to protect his sheep from wolves and other enemies. He uses his staff to support himself when leading His sheep. For sheep, knowing that their shepherd is there, and fully able to protect them from danger, and to guide them along, sometimes dangerous, paths is a huge comfort to them. They have no need to fear. It’s the same with the Lord. We should be comforted in knowing that our great God is present and fully able to protect and guide us no matter who or what the enemy. We can hide ourselves safely in the Lord. Our hearts will be left with songs of deliverance. Our God is fully able and prepared to deliver us from all harm.

Today’s Testimony: Let me share the behind the scenes of Today’s T’s.
Some friends of mine had drifted a bit from the Lord, and I heard two people talking and the one said, “If only someone would send them a Scripture text or something every day.” A while before, I had been sending a friend a Scripture text and my thoughts on the text every single day, including weekends, for a total (there was a pause for a while in between) of six months, so I thought, “I could do that.”
The Lord then started unwrapping exactly what he wanted me to do – “I want you to send a text and call it Today’s Text, just as you did for your friend. Then I want you to send the thoughts on that text that I give you, and call it Today’s Thoughts….” I can’t remember exactly how it all unfolded, but you all know what the end result was. The Lord led with what to include, and what to call this ministry.
Being me, I was standing in awe and so excited. I started working on one the very next morning. I didn’t allow myself enough time to really think it through: “Lindy, are you crazy?!!! You are planning to send all that, every day. Isn’t that a little bit daunting?!” I don’t know, it was the same with Praise Corner – the Lord often has to choose people who are crazy enough to do what He asks without evaluating the sacrifice, and ignorant enough not to know that the task “cannot be done” (according to human standards).
Only one person that I spoke to has said, “It’s not easy.” It definitely isn’t, but there’s no way I’m turning back. I know that the Lord has called me to do a work for Him, and I’m going to do it for as long as I am able. I knew that my Shepherd would be with me through it all. I knew that He is fully able to protect me when Satan tries to discourage me; I knew that my God is fully able to guide me along the path that He has chosen for me, and therefore I followed His leading. And for the same reason, I hide myself in Him, and press forward. His rod and His staff they comfort me.

Today’s Task: Hide in the Lord from all your troubles. Remember that He is fully able to protect and guide you. Do not fear when troubles come, know that your powerful Shepherd is right there with you. Trust in His care.

Today’s Thanks: O Lord I thank You that You are fully able and willing to protect us from all danger, and to guide us in all paths, no matter how rocky. Lord help us to trust in You and hide ourselves in You as our Refuge. I thank You that You are such a good Shepherd. Lord help us to praise You for Your protection, guidance, care and deliverance. We love You Lord. Amen.