The staff was used by the Shepherd to direct the sheep in the way in which they should go, and, in the case of a wandering nosey sheep, to pull it back into line [1] . Again, there is comfort in the fact that God directs us and even discipline from the Lord (pulling us back into line!) can be seen as comforting for it is a sign that He loves us scripture says (Heb 12:6)

The staff is lso used for guiding sheep. . . . The tip of the long slender stick is laid gently against the animal's side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the way the owner wants it to go. Thus the sheep is reassured of its proper path.

A rod was used by shepherds to defend his sheep against wild animal attacks, and the staff was used to gently guide the sheep or to rescue them from danger when they fell. The staff was also used to pull a sheep near to the shepherd to be comforted by him.Our Good Shepherd has given each of us a Rod too. The Bible teaches us how to defend ourselves from Satan's attacks. And the Holy Spirit, is our Staff to guide us and pull us closer to God. When we face the unknown time of our deaths (only God knows this), the Holy Spirit will be there to lead us and guide us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death and into God the Father's presence in Heaven.In Psalm 23: 3, David goes beyond the shepherd analogy and speaks of how God leads him in the “paths of righteousness for his name's sake”. And though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, he fears no evil (v4). The reason for this is that His rod and staff are a comfort, so here David is placing his trust in God as sheep do in their shepherd. The sheep don't know what their master's plans are for them, but follow him believing he will look after them. In the same way David had his problems in walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but had faith in the protective ability of God. In particular, the staff and rod, the Armour of the shepherd are a comfort.