The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. (Psalm 121:5 NASB)
God Our Keeper
Through the Prophet Isaiah, at the end of chapter 26, God calls his people to enter their rooms and hide for a while until indignation runs its course. He speaks of a time when He will come out of from his place.
“In that day, a vineyard of wine, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper, every moment I water it. Lest anyone damage it, I keep it night and day.” (Isaiah 27:2-3 NASB)
Commentators agree the vineyard is His church.
God My Keeper
On our deck is a cross with the word “Keeper” burned into the wood. The Hebrew word from the verse in Isaiah translated “Keeper” means to watch over, to guard, to be blockaded and hidden from danger, to be kept close.
The Lord is near.
In John 7, Jesus invites us to come to Him and satisfy our thirst. He speaks of Rivers of Living Water flowing from within us, satisfying our deepest longings. Every moment we’re guarded and watered.
When we Feel Unprotected
When evil comes our way, it’s easy for us to feel unprotected. But nothing surprises the Lord. He’s entrusted us with every circumstance to be seen as opportunities to press into His presence and depend upon His strength. According to Romans 8:28-29, God is working in every situation for His eternal purposes.
Paul writes that God’s purpose, for those He foreknew and predestined, is to be conformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.[1] By His Holy Spirit working[2], Christ is to be formed within us.[3]
There’s a greater story going on and a higher purpose than just smooth circumstances
Much can be accomplished in suffering. Hebrews tells us that even the Son of God learned obedience from the things He suffered.[4] In His sovereignty, God is able to use evil for His higher purposes.
As Joseph told his brothers when they were afraid of his vengeance after Jacob died, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”[5]
Paul tells us to orient our lives from above where we’ve been raised with Christ, not on earthly things.[6] We know how our story ends. Even when troubles and sufferings come our way, our journey home is secure and sure.
Prayer
Lord, You are my Keeper. You’re watering and refreshing me with the Joy of Your nearness.
You keep me close and guard me against anything contrary to Your greater plan for me.
You’ve called me to abide, to remain, to stay where You have placed me – in Christ Jesus.
Help me to trust You when time pressures threaten my peace and circumstances hide Your great love for me.
You and You alone are my Great Reward, my Pearl of Great Price, my Keeper, the Guarder of my soul.
May I dwell in the beauty of your sanctuary all the days of my life. Amen.
[1] Romans 8:29
[2] Galatians 2:20
[3] Galatians 4:19
[4] Hebrews 5:8
[5] Genesis 50:19b-20
[6] Colossians 3:1-2
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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