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Thursday, May 31, 2018

The Lord Shall Be Your Keeper (Psalm 120-126)



Life is full of challenges. These chapters in Psalms remind us that we don’t have to face those challenges alone.  We are children of the Lord God Almighty and He is our “ go to “ source, our ever-present companion, and guide. 

What challenges are you facing today? Are you struggling with financial burdens, relationship difficulties, emotional stresses, loss or illness? We all have our share of tough circumstances and perhaps those circumstances bring us to the brink of despair.  The Psalmist knew who to turn to when he needed help. 
“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” Psalms 120:1 

Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual wellbeing. God wants us to share our burdens, frustrations, challenges and fears. And then He wants us to be patient and trust Him to answer that prayer.  He may answer quickly or He may work things out over a period of time. He may not answer in the way we desire but He will answer in the way that in His sovereign knowledge will be best. 

Psalm 121 paints a beautiful picture of God as our keeper and protector.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (V1-2)
Every day when I walk out to my car my eyes are drawn to the majestic mountain peaks in the distance and the rays of the sunlight shining above them.  It is such a comforting site. I can’t help but admire their beauty and grand design. Those mountains withstand the blazing sun, the wet rainstorms, the cold snow of winter.  God designed them to endure all kinds of circumstances and harsh conditions. He made us too and desires to keep us strong and help us to endure the ever changing seasons of our life experiences as well. 

Do you trust God to keep you strong and standing even in harsh, challenging circumstances?  “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” (3)
The Lord is your keeper! (5). “The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (7-8)
When you turn to God in prayer you are handing off your cares and circumstances to Him.  You can be comforted and encouraged by the knowledge that God will be your “keeper” and will take care of your needs. 

The enemy wants to attack us and find our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.  God promises to be like towering mountains of protection that surround us. “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.” (125:1-2)

I want to encourage you to find refuge in God. Don’t try to deal with life on your own.  Allow God to be your guide and protector.  Entrust the details of your life to the One who created you.  Be diligent in your prayers.  
Just this past week, I was personally blessed to have God answer some prayers I had been praying about for quite a long time. How wonderful it is when you get to see God at work, personally orchestrating the details of your life.  I can appreciate what the Psalmist felt when he saw the hand of God at work on his behalf and for the good of those he cared about. “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”(126:2-3 )

May you be blessed today by the One who surrounds you and keeps you!