Secure With The Keeper

Psalm 121:5-8

5The LORD himself watches over you!

The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

6The sun will not hurt you by day,

nor the moon at night.

7The LORD keeps you from all evil

and preserves your life.

8The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever.

It was dark and cold that November morning when the Livingstone family woke up to say farewell to their son David. He was leaving Scotland that day for the heart of Africa. Mrs. Livingstone made coffee; Mr. Livingstone dressed warmly to walk his son to Glasgow. David got the family Bible and read the comforting words of Psalm 121 with the family.

A dozen years later, Dr. Livingstone was contemplating a trip deeper into the unexplored interior of Africa along with his wife and children. Just before he left, he received a letter from his mother-in-law, Mary Moffat, who was also a missionary. “My dear Livingstone,” she began. “Hitherto I have kept up my spirits and have been enabled to believe that our Great Master may yet bring you out in safety.” She said that she was clinging to the promises of Psalm 121 and Psalm 91. “Unceasing prayer is made for you.” Then she added, “Every petition, however fervent, must be with submission to his will.”

Protected? Yes. Submissive to his will? That, too.

Sometimes we can be confused by that. Neither David Livingstone nor the apostle Paul were immune from trouble, and Jesus guaranteed us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But no matter what happens, we can never be separated from God’s love or God’s purposes. He promises to preserve us from evil but not to pave over every pothole in life’s road.

From God the Lord does come your certain aid;

From God the Lord who heaven and earth has made.

Above you watching, He whom you adore

Shall keep you henceforth, yes, for evermore.

JOHN CAMPBELL

Fascinating Fact

Notice all the phrases in this psalm that say that the Lord “watches over,” “keeps,” “stands beside,” “preserves,” and “never sleeps.” Do you think the Lord is trying to tell you something?

Notable Quotable

“Christians travel the same ground that everyone else walks on, breathe the same air, drink the same water. . . . The difference is that each step we walk, we know we are accompanied by God, we know we are ruled by God, and therefore no matter what accidents we experience, the Lord will preserve us from evil.”

EUGENE PETERSON