"Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand... The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul."
(PSALM 121:4-5, 7, NKJV)

PSALM 121:1-8
The Hebrew word for “keep” is repeated six times in eight verses. It is also translated as “preserve” or “watch.” The Lord our Keeper is one of the Old Testament names of God. In all of this deliberate wording, the Lord assures us of His constant personal protection; it is not just a general concept.


My anti-perspirant is emblazoned with the slogan claiming “24 hour protection!” But our Keeper promises real protection for us at all hours. In the daytime when we are perhaps more likely to be assailed by doubts or feelings of guilt about our performance as Christians, the Lord extends His unfailing love to reassure and gird us up. In the night (especially in the hours before the dawn, when we may be oppressed by anxious or wrong thoughts, cares, anxieties about dear ones or the future, feelings of hopelessness) He sings to us – perhaps through a strengthening thought from His Word or through a sense of His loving presence. This turns us towards prayer. Even a glance at our Keeper dispels all worry.



Scripture Focus

PSALM 121:1-8

Insight

ALL THESE THINGS SPELL OUT THE LORD'S CONSTANT PROTECTION. HIS KEEPING IS NOT JUST AN EMPTY IDEA; IT IS A PRACTICAL, EXPERIENTIAL NECESSITY.

Bible In A Year

  • 2 Chronicles 27-28
  • Psalm 21
  • Matthew 28

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