The LORD is your keeper … The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

~Psalm 121:5, 8 NKJV

Years ago, God spoke into my heart, “I am your Keeper.” Within days of that conversation, I faced a severe trial that could have killed me.

I beat breast cancer, but it wasn’t a casual win. I trusted in God’s Word as medicine, relied on friends’ intercessory prayer, and experienced the Lord’s victory.

The cancer I faced left my body with no surgery, no radiation, and no chemo—only a biopsy to confirm its presence. This was a God-sized miracle only He could do. Three hospitals all confirmed my miraculous diagnosis and subsequent healing.

I have remained cancer free for well over twenty years without any medical intervention. The cancer markers aren’t even in my DNA, despite this disease wracking havoc in my generational line. The Lord’s keeping hand stayed the evil plot the enemy waged against me.

Recently, God laid it on my heart to meditate again on His keeping power, so I turned to Psalm 121, a familiar poem that contains many promises—He is the source of our help, He remains alert day and night preserving us from every evil now and in the future, He provides His presence as the refuge from the trials that beset mankind.

“I am your Keeper,” I heard as I meditated on these promises. What came to my mind was would there be another trial?

If I did face a trial, I wanted to come into agreement with God’s Word, so I looked up the word, “Keeper.” It is defined as a thorny hedge of protection. Rather than envisioning this as a natural hedge, I imagined myself being protected within the crown of thorns my Beloved Jesus wore. That, I reasoned, was the ultimate hedge to be encircled within. Although I was convinced there would be a trial, I was at ease, and my Beloved Jesus’ peace flooded over me. I knew I’d be safe.

Immediately, I faced a trial. It came through a friend’s unwise actions, and they were about to affect the devotion ministry I directed. I wanted to undo this wrong, but without hurting this friend or the ministry—but how? I called a trusted prayer partner of many years.

This is when God did the most amazing thing. At the precise moment, my friend was interceding over the phone. While I traced with my finger the words “The LORD is your keeper” (Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV), another friend texted a message. I would not ordinarily have opened a text message during prayer, but I had a strong urge to do so. This friend had sent a picture of a bookmark she’d created, and on it was Psalm 121. God had urged her to let me know this psalm was for me! This collision of events all had a singular message. It was as if God were saying to me, “See, I am your keeper, and I am making sure you know I am.”

Everything worked out, and better than I expected. The devotion ministry strengthened, and God sent people who helped our team make it visible on social media. So instead of the ministry taking a tumble due to one disgruntled person, our ministry strengthened and multiplied. My friend who made the bookmark mailed it to me, and I treasure it. I stand amazed at the keeping power of God.

Imagine God’s hedge of protection. Now think of this thorny hedge as being the crown of thorns our Savior wore to redeem us. Nothing can get past the shed blood our Beloved earned by wearing this crown. Not even death could hold Christ down, and although He now wears a heavenly crown, some scars from the thorny crown remain as a reminder of His sacrificial love. Thomas touched the hands pierced with nail-prints, and now these are set with the beryl stone (see Song of Solomon 5:14). I want to touch my Beloved’s brow and thank Him for any piercings that remain.

When we lean into our Savior, we are protected, and miracles become commonplace. We also receive direction, favor, and other such helps. Not even death can stop us from prospering, because Jesus Christ meets us face-to-face when we do. And in His arms, the trials cease. But we have a job to do for Him and getting it accomplished should be our priority. Know that His presence goes with us, and He empowers us day by day.

Pursue the ministry dreams God has placed within your heart. He intends for you to succeed. The Lord is your keeper, and He keeps His children safe within His care. There will be trials—but these will only serve to remind us of His keeping power. Satan cannot even reach the thorny hedge, let alone the crown of thorns our Savior wore. Let God’s Word be your keeping strength and your all-in-all.

Are you facing a trial? Lean into God, your Keeper.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Keeper. Strengthen me through every Word You have written in the Bible and give me specific verses to meditate on for each trial I face. Thank You for my Beloved Savior Jesus Christ who keeps me safe. Preserve me and keep me humble as I depend upon You as my only source. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: The Keeper: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved