Scripture Text: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

We left off yesterday's devotion speaking about the Word of God being our "rod" and our "staff" and how it pertains to having a sound mind. I want to pick that up today as we wind up this week's lessons on having a sound mind, and kind of bring it altogether if I can.

If you remember I used the 23rd Psalm or at least part of it in yesterday's devotional, and I said,

"Instead of living from war to war and explosion to explosion, we find ourselves walking in the path of righteousness where even though we walk through the valley of shadow and  death we know that The Lord Jesus is With us. It is "His rod" and "His staff" that comfort us and "get us through". That rod by the way is the word of the Lord and staff is considered by the word to be His Promises."

The Targum (Aramaic Interpretation of the Old Testament) interprets or likens the rod and staff of the Lord as to the "shepherd's" crook. Now, if we think of it from that vantage point, we see that it is of no small comfort to the "sheep of Christ", those who have received them as their Shepherd and have allowed Him to lead them, to know that according to the scriptures they are "numbered by Him". In fact, He said,

". . . the very hairs of our heads are all numbered". (Ref., Mat 10:30)

 So if we have passed beneath this rod as a living, breathing person and He has numbered every hair on our heads, we've got to know that we are under his care and protection. Right? I mean, someone that not only numbers you as "one under His care and protection" but takes the time to number the very hairs on your head (of course with some of us these days that doesn't take much since we've lost a great deal of them), will not lead us by osmosis or puppetry or by the design of man, but He will always point us to the power of God and His Spirit; and lead us in the path of faith, truth, and holiness.

But this is where I wanted to make my point for today.

Much of the fear and intensity of daily struggle that so many face, is that the rod and staff are also used for correction and for steering the wandering sheep back into the fold. It is this same rod and staff "that comforts" that is the measuring stick by which those who have been negligent in the discharge of their duty, and have been wooed by the cunning craftiness of the ravenous wolves or false teachers of the day, will be corrected.

This same "rod" and "staff" is the WORD, the PRESENCE, the POWER and  PROTECTION of Christ, to every believer and it will save to the uttermost if applied. Again, as we began this series last Monday, I have to remind you once again that God doesn't move in venues of conflict - He "can't" move in venues of conflict because they're not from Him (of Him). He has nothing to do with them except to make them flee, and that's what He does best as the Good Shepherd.

If you are looking for a sound mind, and a successful life, get into the WORD, and pass under the rod of correction so that you can once again know the "ROD of PEACE" and the STAFF of PROMISE" - which always develop a sound mind. 

Let's pray.

Come Lord Jesus and show me where I am lacking in my walk with you. I come under your rod of correction and want once again to experience your rod of peace and  protection. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can speak to every spirit that is contrary to Your will for my life and cause them to flee. In Jesus' Name, Amen.