07132024 Helper and Keeper

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of God our Helper and Keeper. “My help cometh from the LORD” (Psalm 121:2). “The LORD is thy keeper” (Psalm 121:5).

Is God our Helper and Keeper only sometimes? Only in certain places, situations, or stages of life? No, Psalm 121 argues for God’s constancy in these aspects. God does not change. He always is all that encompasses His character.

Every faithful servant of God can give testimony to these truths about God. Each can give examples and tell stories as personal proof. The humble servant of God readily admits that his successes, accomplishments, and achievements have been through the help of God.

After David had been well-established on the throne, God sent him a message through Nathan the prophet. “And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth” (I Chronicles 17:8).

Whithersoever David had walked, God had been with him. When did that start, and what did it encompass? According to the previous verse, it started at least when David was a shepherd boy out in the pasture, and it continued constantly until David became the leader (king) over Israel and renowned in the earth.

Wherever he walked. David walked in a lot of places. He walked in the sheep pastures, in his home village, to the battlefield of Goliath, to the music therapy of Saul’s court, to a brave military leader, to a royal wedding, to hatred from the king, to refuge in caves and forests and foreign lands, to battles that crushed his spirit, to leadership over hundreds of men, and eventually to the throne.

When God was with David wherever he walked, that was an amazing journey. Certainly not too hard for God, but from a human perspective, it presents itself as a masterpiece of God’s presence and protection. There was so much variety, so much danger, so many enemies, so many risks and challenges. It was no quiet stroll in the park!

God was a sufficient Helper and Keeper for all of that – but it didn’t end after David was established on the throne. God continued doing the same thing. “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (I Chronicles 18:6). “And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (I Chronicles 18:13).

Again, wherever David went as king, in expanding and strengthening the kingdom. Now we’re talking about more variety, more danger, more enemies, more risks, and more challenges. David’s life as king was still not easy, but he still had the same great God – the same Helper and Keeper – wherever he went.

What is the message for us? What we “accomplish” is because of God. What we face is possible with God. Any time, any place. Because God is also with us wherever we go. He is the one who helps and keeps us, just as He helped and kept David. If God could handle all that went on in David’s journey, He can just as easily watch over our journey.

“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Wherever your path leads this week, may you be aware of the Helper and Keeper who remains at your side and who accomplishes all things for you.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA