By J. Wilbur Chapman

      A SHEPHERD'S rod is that with which he defends his sheep. It was not unlikely that in passing through the valley serious danger would meet the flock, and the shepherd's business is to drive the evil away. Surely this is a comfort for us.

      There will be danger before you today. Temptations will spring upon you from most unexpected places. You will fail but for the Shepherd's care.

      There are certain things which may surely be likened to the shepherd's rod.

      1. The Bible. When our Lord met the devil in the time of his temptation, to all of his insidious suggestions he said, "It is written." This is the real secret of victory.

      You cannot drive him away with holy feelings, with heavenly experiences, but only with God's word well known, and well used.

      2. Prayer. There are so many forms of prayer, none of which are more helpful than the ejaculatory. If we pray only at stated times, Satan may be there ready to tempt us. But the prayer that rises in the midst of business and when you are suddenly beset by danger takes him unawares and makes him flee from us. Prayer is like the shepherd's rod.

      SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY.

      1. Learn at least one new verse of Scripture for each day. Wield it as the sword of the Spirit.

      2. Read one chapter of the book of Proverbs daily. Singularly enough, there are just thirty-one. Then live in the atmosphere of the portion you read.

      3. Pray often. "Be instant in prayer." Let prayer strike the key-note for the day, and prayer through the day keep you in harmoney with the key-note and the day will be a song of victory.

See Also:
   Introduction
   1: First Day - The LORD is my shepherd
   2: Second Day - The Lord is my shepherd
   3: Third Day - The Lord is my shepherd
   4: Fourth Day - The Lord is my shepherd
   5: Fifth Day - The Lord is my SHEPHERD
   6: Sixth Day - The Lord is my SHEPHERD
   7: Seventh Day - I shall not WANT
   8: Eighth Day - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
   9: Ninth Day - He leadeth me
   10: Tenth Day - Beside the still waters
   11: Eleventh Day - He restoreth my soul
   12: Twelfth Day - He restoreth my soul
   13: Thirteenth Day - He RESTORETH my soul
   14: Fourteenth Day - He leadeth me
   15: Fifteenth Day - He leadeth me
   16: Sixteenth Day - In the PATHS of righteousness
   17: Seventeenth Day - In the paths of righteousness
   18: Eighteenth Day - For his name's sake
   19: Nineteenth Day - Yea, though I WALK through the valley
   20: Twentieth Day - I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
   21: Twenty-first Day - I will fear no evil
   22: Twenty-second Day - Thou art with me
   23: Twenty-third Day - Thy rod
   24: Twenty-fourth Day - And thy staff
   25: Twenty-fifth Day - Thou preparest a table before me
   26: Twenty-sixth Day - In the presence of mine enemies
   27: Twenty-seventh Day - Thou anointest my head with oil
   28: Twenty-eighth Day - My cup runneth over
   29: Twenty-ninth Day - Goodness and mercy shall follow me
   30: Thirtieth Day - I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
   31: Thirty-first Day - Conclusion