June 3, 2024
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel, shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper
-Psalms 121:3-5a
The Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120 – 134) is a collection of Psalms sung by Travelers as they traveled through Jerusalem. Jerusalem was located on a high place, so they often had to climb and ascend. It was no easy journey as they had to go through those high places and difficult roads.
God wants to mold and shape us on all our journeys, He does this by keeping us. In Hosea 11:3-4 – God described how He led them with cords of human kindness, and ties of love. God is not some distant faraway God; He is deeply involved in the details of every facet of our lives. When we face trials, it should help us build a deeper trust in God. Today, let’s examine the ways in which God acts as our Keeper.
If you had to drive or walk to a place you had never gone to before, you would need to check a map to show you how to get there, or maybe ask someone for directions to your destination. The maps or guides are there to help you stay on track and not lose your way.
Similarly, to keep us, God has provided us with His word, the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of other sound believers to provide us with direction and guidance. Psalm 32:8 reminds us of a promise God made to us – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. We can trust God’s promise to us, when the path seems difficult, or challenges arise.
…to keep us, God has provided us with His word, the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of other sound believers to provide us with direction and guidance.
The second way that God keeps us is by equipping us with strength in our weakness and renewing our spirits when we feel we cannot go on. Isaiah 40:31 says, “they that wait or hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow tired.” Sometimes the circumstances may take a while to change in our waiting season, but God keeps us by strengthening us. He uses those times when we are waiting on answers to deepen our faith and grow us to spiritual maturity.
The third way that God keeps us is by being a constant presence. For mountain climbers, you get to a point when you need to rely on someone else for safety and support. The God who never sleeps nor slumbers promises never to leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). No matter how difficult the climb is, knowing that God is always with us should give us the comfort and courage we need to keep moving.
Psalm 121 3-5 – is a beautiful reminder that we can move forward and upward with confidence that no matter what we face, The Lord our keeper is with us, keeping our foot from slipping and helping us to ascend our mountains with courage and strength. Go forward, rise and step out with boldness and faith. The mountain before you may be great but be reminded that the God who keeps you is greater!
Song of Worship
He said, He would not suffer thy foot, Thy foot to be moved
The Lord that keepeth thee, He will not slumber nor sleep
Song: My Help Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Prayer - I declare that The God is ever with me—strengthening, equipping and guiding me. I am not alone. I have a Keeper—the Almighty God, The Most High. Therefore, I am victorious in all things. In Jesus name!
Bible in 1 year: 2 Chronicles 19-20