Keeper | Psalm 121
Keeper | Psalm 121
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” (Psalm 121:5–7)
The past few days, I’ve been potty training my new puppy, Baxter. It’s incredible how he’s progressed so swiftly, through consistent, proactive training. By Day 2 he was holding his bladder as long as he could, though make an occasional “accident” a few times a day. By Day 5 (today), he’s not going inside the house anymore! I may have bought a few new toys for him as a "thank you."
Now, about that newfound chewing habit? That’s going to take quite a bit longer to get a handle on!
However, for as proud as I am of the little guy, I myself have become exhausted by this holistically intentional training. It’s working; but it’s tiring!
When we consider God’s discipline and training of us as his children—constantly providing for our needs and protecting us from harm—surely he must grow tired of our constant waywardness and neediness, right?
Psalm 121 tells us quite the opposite. His is a love that is inexhaustible. By his very nature, he does not grow tired or weary. And what about his relationship toward and with us? Scriptures say of this that he is our Helper and our Keeper. In the words of Psalm 121:3–4, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
This, friends, is a word of encouragement to us. The one who made us, safeguards us. Not a detail of our lives is—nor can ever be—lost on him. Not a concern of our hearts is beyond his care. Not a passing thought within our minds is outside of his recognition. Not a misdeed said or done against us is beyond his divine watchfulness.
As we pick up in our series on Acts this coming Sunday, we will be looking at the intensified opposition that Peter and John and the other Apostles began to face in Acts 5. Last Sunday, we talked about persecution and suffering, trials and tribulation and how inevitable these circumstances were for the Apostles and still are for us, the continuing Church of Christ.
This Sunday we will see God’s provision on display in a grander way. A provision that does not negate the suffering, but safeguards our souls in the midst of it. We will see the love of God, incomprehensible and inexhaustible. For the same love the that the Father has had for the Son since eternity past is the same love he shows to us who are in Christ Jesus— his beloved daughters and sons.
Until then, I look forward to seeing your all this Sunday!
In Christ,
Rich
