God disciplines us...

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm. 23:4

Psalm 23:4 refers to the shepherd's staff. The staff was the instrument the shepherd used to deal with his sheep. It was not a weapon but a tool. Most staffs had a hooked end that the shepherd used to catch a sheep’s leg or neck to pull it out of a hole or back into the fold. The shepherd would nudge a sheep with his staff when it began to stray or when it was hesitant to move along with the flock.

Sometimes we are a danger to ourselves. So God covers us by prodding us out of danger. Sometimes due to our foolishness, ignorance or stubbornness, we get ourselves into trouble. God is there to help us through it.

I am not saying God will wave a wand and the problem disappears. But God is there to help us out of it – if we would turn to Him in humility. If God simply removes the trouble – we would not learn the lesson from it. Sometimes we need a few scars to remind us of our foolishness.

At times God disciplines us when necessary so that we may grow up. Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV) 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

So we can trust in God’s discipline, it is meant to protect us. That is why we need not be fearful.