YAHWEH, MY PROTECTOR - ROD AND STAFF

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalm 23: 4 (KJV)

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INTRODUCTION

Fear of death has led many of us into sin. Gripped us and tempted us away from godly behavior. And it can be especially so if one is going through the valley of the shadow of death. But in the end, only a shadow it is. There is no real power or authority behind it. 

It is there though we learn to lean on Abba even more, 

for comfort and strength to endure. 

To lean on His authority

that leads to our victory.

MY ROD AND STAFF

The fear of death has been behind every sin since the beginning. The fear of losing relationships, jobs, reputation, the position of authority, and so on. That fear has gripped all mankind for a long time and produced bad fruit. 

In those deepest and darkest moments when we are threading through the valley of the shadow of death, it can be burdensome to see the light. Fear can grip us. Yet in the valley, we have a choice to make. We can come closer to God or turn away further from Him. 

In the darkest moments of our lives when faced with our biggest fears we can receive our biggest victories and breakthroughs. 

But once broken and in true humility, 

our cry is then heard by the Almighty.

In our greatest surrender, at our weakest point, Abba is strongest for us. He is our rod and staff that comforts us. His authority runs supreme and it protects us. When Yeshua died and rose back from the dead, all our sins were forgiven and all authority in Heaven and Earth was given to Him. Once He ascended into Heaven, He delegated that authority to His believers. 

Death holds no power over any of us anymore. 

Now it is nothing more but a shadow. 

Power we have been given. Power that allows us to trample on all serpents and scorpions (Luke 10: 19). Even if we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, God has already secured victory for us. Even if faced with difficulty, trials, or tests, with Yeshua by our sides - our Rod and Staff - we shall prevail.

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In the wilderness as already established, we are tested and shaped to become the finished product Abba had in mind. It is in the valley that lessons are to be learned. Lessons that take us deeper into our relationship with God. Lessons that build even greater intimacy and trust.

Through these lessons, Abba builds character and integrity, so we can then carry the anointing better. The increase in anointing, calling, blessing, and so forth. That is what He is preparing us for. 

Some do say though,

that at times He blesses even so. 

And then lets us grow into it,

adjust the armor so that it would fit. 

My mentor Prophet and Evangelist James Goll teaches that in some cases God blesses us with gifts and callings we do not yet have the character to carry. He then slowly lets us grow into the gifting, the calling. So though He usually prepares us before He blesses, He may bless us and then let us grow into the gifting and calling too. 

So let us not fear the valley of the shadow of death,

let us run to God and trust Him instead,

through His authority upon evil powers tread

for He is our

ROD AND STAFF!

CONCLUSION

Even if we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear evil. God is with us, and He will protect us. We can trust Him for victory. Let us lean on Him and learn the lessons that will then build even greater intimacy. Let us exercise the authority He has given to us. The authority with which we tread on all the powers of the enemy. 

Application

Dear Heavenly Abba. Thank you for being my Rod and Staff. The authority and power through which I can thread on all scorpions and serpents, and destroy all the evil powers coming against me. Thank you for securing my victory.

SOURCES

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2. Image created via canva.com.