REVELATION 7:13-17 – “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.””

THEME OF THE DAY: WHAT IS MISSING?  We need to do a little work to grasp the wonderful truth in today’s devotion.  What this means is we will need to compare two portions of scripture.  The first one is the scripture directing today’s devotion – Revelation 7:13-17.  The second is the Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23, which follows:

“A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  

In both portions of scripture, we find our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus comforting, caring, and providing for us, His sheep.   The Shepherd of Psalm 23 and Revelation 7 are also active in His sheep’s lives which implies close companionship.

Now, the “work” we are required to do to get today’s most comforting truth about heaven and our Shepherd. Slowly read both portions again.  Pay very close attention to what is different about the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23 and Revelation 7.  Here is a hint.  Notice what is absent with Shepherd in the Revelation that is present in Psalm 23.

The rod and staff are missing from the Shepherd in the Revelation.  Why? In heaven, in the Presence of the Good Shepherd the need for the rod and staff are over.  Only in this life do we need the protection and guidance provided for by the Good Shepherd watching over His flock.  The rod was to fight off predators, and we have many spiritual enemies needing the Lord’s protective intervention. Commentators have longed defined the “rod” as an extension of the Shepherd’s arm illustrating the care of the Shepherd for His sheep.

And the staff? It was used to “steer” or guide the sheep who are tempted to drift into forbidden pastures or venture off alone.  And do we ever need our Shepherd’s use of His staff.  Praise God we must for giving us our Good Shepherd, and thank Him for His rod and staff. When we see Him, they won’t be in His Hand.  Their use will be over.

PRAYER:  Father, I praise You for giving me Your Son as my Savior and my forever Shepherd.

REFLECTION:  Our Good Shepherd uses a rod and staff now. In the next world, their use will not be needed.