ASSURANCE OF ALL-INCLUSIVE PROTECTION

“The Lord will PROTECT you from ALL EVIL; He will keep your soul” – Psalm 121:7 (NASB).

God’s Word guarantees the ASSURANCE of ALL-INCLUSIVE PROTECTION: “The Lord will protect you from ALL EVIL; He will keep your soul” (Psa.121:7 NASB). The New International Version says, “The LORD will keep you from ALL HARM – he will watch over your life.” This psalm expresses the Believer’s Trust in God’s Protection. True and total preservation and safety are from Him alone. His protecting care is portrayed in such convincing colours they charge us to place all confidence in Him! When challenges and troubles are all around, we can either panic or find strength in His Word.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth” (vv.1-2). Psalm 121 is one of the “songs of ascents” that were sung as pilgrims approached Jerusalem on the feast days. The pious child of Israel turned in devotion to the hill on which the Temple stood, being a type of Jehovah's presence. Yet, he knew that his help didn’t come from the hills, but directly from the Lord! The Creator of heaven and earth is our Defender, Helper, and Keeper. We can confidently lift our eyes to Him. He is the fountain of all grace. He, whose omnipotent Word called heaven and earth into existence, can by the same Word make all providences to protect and promote our good.

Protection from falling – 24/7: “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” (vv.3-4). We often move on slippery ground, with enemies dashing against us. Left alone, we would easily fall! But the Lord upholds us to stand as a rock against the bumping billows. He is with us, always, breathing help and strength into our souls; never allowing us to fall. He never relaxes His watchful guardianship. We may find ourselves on slippery slopes, or the path we're walking seems to be full of potholes and obstacles. But the God, who knows all, knows our way. And even when we stumble, as our eyes are fixed on Him, He will keep our footsteps firm. His eyes are fixed immovably on us day and night, from the opening to the closing of life!

Protection from celestial powers: “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” (vv.5-6). The sun and moon represent smiting powers in heavenly places. Against such forces, the Lord Jesus Christ is our Keeper. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal life (1Pet.1:5). The word “keep” means to guard, watch, preserve, and exercise great care over. God's protection involves His carefully guarding us from danger, like a watchful Mom always keeping tabs on her toddler. In our Zion-ward march we are exposed to scorching rays. But as the pillar of cloud spread sweet refreshment over Israel’s hosts, so the Lord wards off the adversary's piercing darts. To His people He is as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Protection of an all-hazard policy: “The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul” (v.7). God’s protection is assured against all harm. There can be no better Guard, Keeper, Preserver or Protector than the Almighty God. His coverage is unlimited. The believer may exult in the assurance that all the assaults of Satan and the powers of darkness shall inflict no deadly wound. Our souls shall live unharmed, and be ultimately brought in safety to the heavenly home.

All-inclusive Protection: “The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore” (v.8). Life’s pilgrimage may seem wearisome, but our coming and going are protected, now and forever. We may be tempted and tried along the way, but final rest is assured and secured. Through God's protection, heaven shall be attained. So, let us lift up our hearts in faith, with joy and shouts of thanksgivings.