The Shepherd's Toolbox

One of the things I keep handy in the tractor shelter is my fence bucket.  With cows roaming the pasture and always thinking there might be something better to eat on the other side, a fence can take a lot of abuse.  They will lean over the fence trying to get to what might be eaten on the other side.  And if that is not enough, there are always limbs falling on fence lines and breaking down fences.  With cows there is always the likelihood of fence work to be done.  So, I keep a bucket with fence staples, hammers, plyers, and even a roll of barb wire which can be grabbed in a minute.    

My bucket is my fence repair toolbox.  It may seem like an unusual toolbox, but then, consider the toolbox of the Shepherd of the 23rd Psalm.  It is described in the 4th verse as it says, "Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me."  Now, there is long looking tool box!  The rod was a long stout stick used to fight off wild animals that might see a sheep and think about the next meal.  It was a weapon of protection and offense.  The staff was a unique tool.  It was a long stick with a crook at the end that could be used to reach out and hook a sheep and pull it back to a safe place.  

Regardless of what else might be in the Shepherd's toolbox, these two things were not optional.   Of course, as we read the 23rd Psalm we are not reading for its animal husbandry advice, but for spiritual comfort.  To think of the Shepherd of our Souls as one who has these two tools at His disposal is certainly reassuring and comforting.  He is one who is ready to protect us from the evil one who is set on destroying us and He is patient and kind enough to always be reaching out to us to bring us back close to Him where we are safe.  The Shepherd of our Souls not only knows us, but He is with us to care for us when there is danger and to keep us close to Him so we can make it Home.