“He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4 ESV
Part of a what a Keeper does is to watch over you to protect you. God is always on the look-out for you, night and day, noticing when danger is near. How does God guard us from harm?
First, let’s look at why there is harm. 1) We live in a fallen world that has been affected by sin. 2) We live around fallen people with a will. 3) We have a spiritual enemy. 4) We make wrong choices. 5) Because of the fallen world, Jesus said there would be persecution.
Now, how does God protect us?
- God redeemed us. While we are in the world system, we are part of God’s system. In His system, God provides what we need to live this life according to His ways.
- God gave us authority and power through Christ. We then must surrender to His Lordship and put what He gave us into action to overcome the world and the evil in it.
- God has angels watching over us to protect us.
- God gave us His Holy Spirit that He has deployed to lead us, guide us, and empower us. He knows what we do not see, and He can warn us or redirect us.
- God has given us His grace. It is sufficient for whatever we need when we rely on Him. He will see us through whatever we face.
- God gives us His Word that teaches us wisdom on the choices we make and with whom we should or should not associate.
- God gives us counselors. Their experience and understanding can keep us safe. Listen to them.
If you have been harmed, perhaps because of someone else’s will, God is here to heal. He was not absent during the harm, but there to carry you through it. Remember, your scars are a reminder that you made it through.
Application: We don’t want to ever be resentful for past pain or endlessly mourn what we may have lost. Instead, let’s be thankful we are still here to serve Jesus and look forward to eternity, which isn’t far away.