Thy Rod and Thy Staff
The sermon emphasizes the comfort and guidance provided by God's rod and staff through life's challenges.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the comforting and guiding role of God's Word in our lives, likening it to a staff that supports us through various trials and challenges. Through personal experiences of war, loss, exile, and uncertainty, the speaker reflects on how specific Bible verses served as staffs, providing strength, hope, and direction in times of need. The sermon highlights the importance of relying on God's promises and truths as our unwavering support and guidance, especially in moments of danger, doubt, and haste.
Text
"Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Ps. 23:4).
At my father's house in the country there is a little closet in the chimney corner where are kept the canes and walking-sticks of several generations of our family. In my visits to the old house, when my father and I are going out for a walk, we often go to the cane closet, and pick out our sticks to suit the fancy of the occasion. In this I have frequently been reminded that the Word of God is a staff.
During the war, when the season of discouragement and impending danger was upon us, the verse, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord," was a staff to walk with many dark days.
When death took away our child and left us almost heartbroken, I found another staff in the promise that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning."
When in impaired health, I was exiled for a year, not knowing whether I should be permitted to return to my home and work again, I took with me this staff which never failed, "He knoweth the thoughts that he thinketh toward me, thoughts of peace and not of evil."
In times of special danger or doubt, when human judgment has seemed to be set at naught, I have found it easy to go forward with this staff, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." And in emergencies, when there has seemed to be no adequate time for deliberation or for action, I have never found that this staff has failed me, "He that believeth shall not make haste." --Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, in The Outlook
"I had never known," said Martin Luther's wife, "what such and such things meant, in such and such psalms, such complaints and workings of spirit; I had never understood the practice of Christian duties, had not God brought me under some affliction." It is very true that God's rod is as the schoolmaster's pointer to the child, pointing out the letter, that he may the better take notice of it; thus He pointeth out to us many good lessons which we should never otherwise have learned. --Selected
"God always sends His staff with His rod."
"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deut.33:25).
Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well. --Maclaren
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the significance of the rod and staff
- Personal anecdotes illustrating comfort from scripture
- The role of God's promises in times of trouble
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II
- The rod as a tool for guidance and correction
- Lessons learned through affliction
- The importance of trusting in God's plan
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III
- God's provision in difficult times
- The assurance of strength for each day
- Conclusion emphasizing faith and reliance on God
Key Quotes
“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” — Charles E. Cowman
“God always sends His staff with His rod.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Trust in God's promises during difficult times to find comfort.
- Reflect on personal experiences of God's guidance to strengthen your faith.
- Remember that God equips us for every journey we face.