The Amish Voice 9
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
The shepherd‟s rod is
used to protect the
sheep; the staff to cor-
rect them. The sheep finds comfort in both
these instruments. The sheep needs both pro-
tection from his enemies and correction in
the way.
There is hardly a creature more defenseless
than a sheep. Our Lord sends us forth as
sheep in the midst of wolves instructing us to
be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as
doves. (Matthew 10:16)
We are instructed that when smitten on the
right cheek to turn to the aggressor our left
cheek as well. (Matthew 5:39)
In such a dangerous world, it is only His
promise to never leave us or forsake us
(Hebrews 13:5) that makes possible the
Christian‟s life and ministry. Yea, we may
boldly say, “
The Lord is my helper; I will not
fear what man shall do unto me.”—Heb 13:6
We are blessed with religious liberty in
America. This American experiment has
lasted little more than 200 years. Even today
in this world Christians are suffering for their
faith. Many are imprisoned; others are tor-
tured; some are even dying for refusal to
renounce their faith in Christ. Thank God for
the liberty we enjoy in our country. Let us
not take it for granted. Let us pray that the
liberty we enjoy may soon become the expe-
rience of men and women, boys and girls in
every land.
We are not to fear those who can kill the
body, but who are not able to kill the soul.
(Matthew 10:28) “
Though our outward man
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by
day.” —2 Cor 4:16
Not only does our Lord provide His rod to
ward off our enemies, but He provides His
staff as well to guide and to correct us. We
are often our own worst enemies. Just as a
sheep is a defenseless creature, he is a rather
silly creature as well. Left to himself he will
soon be lost. Once lost, he is not like a dog
or a cat which can find its way home. He is
quite helpless and must depend on His shep-
herd to lead him home.
The Word of God, the Holy Spirit of God,
and faithful ministers of the Word are used
by our Lord and Savior to guide us gently
home. If we know but where to look and
how to read the map, there is to be found in
the Bible a way home.
Assess
your situation.
Acknowledge
you have lost your way.
Seek
guidance from the Shepherd.
The answer may come in church on Sunday
morning. It may come as you visit with a
friend. You may be upon your bed at night,
when suddenly light springs forth in the
darkness. The Lord Jesus Christ leads His
dear children along:
“Some through the waters, some
through the flood,
“Some through the fire, but all
through the blood;
“Some through great sorrow, but
God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day
long.”
—George Young, 1903
Jesus said: To him the Porter openeth;
and the sheep hear His voice: and He
calleth His own sheep by name, and
leadeth them out. And when He putteth
forth His own sheep, He goeth before
them, and the sheep follow Him: for
they know His voice. —John 10:3-4
Thy Rod and Thy Staff. They Comfort Me
—by Glenn Archer
1. The believer is translated from the
power of darkness:
Who hath delivered us from the power
of darkness, and hath translated us into
the kingdom of his dear Son: —Col 1:13
2. The believer SHALL not come into
condemnation but is PASSED from
DEATH unto LIFE:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
heareth my word, and believeth on him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but
is passed from death unto life. —John
5:24
3. The believer is SEALED with the Ho-
ly Spirit:
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye
heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye were sealed with that
Holy Spirit of promise. —Ephesians
1:13
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption. —Ephesians 4:30
4. The believer has eternal life and shall
never perish:
And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand. —
John 10:28
5. The believer is kept by the power of
God:
Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time. —Peter 1:5
6. The believer is born of God:
But as many as received him, to them
gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his
name: Which were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God. —John 1:12,13
7. The believer has been saved:
For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast. —Ephesians 2:8,9
—Continued on Page 10—
25 Changes That Take Place the Moment a Person is Born Again
—by Joe Keim
A new heart also will I give you, and a new
spirit will I put within you: and I will take
away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I
will give you an heart of flesh. —Ezekiel 36:26