When one deliberates upon the attributes of someone who is kept, negative thoughts oft times come to mind. A woman, who professes to be "kept", would be observed in unflattering manner most of which cannot be repeated in mixed company. A male who proclaimed to be "kept" would be labeled as a slacker or deadbeat. However, I am here to tell you plainly that I Am a Kept Woman!
Now before you begin allowing your eyebrows to rise.... Let us review what the Acclamation littérateur is saying. The first versification of this discourse of ascent "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? " is in question form. Some scholars say it is in reference to the religious beliefs in Jerusalem that the mountains ascertain some type of holy sanctity. Others state that because of all of the miraculous transactions that transpired upon the mountains that they possess some type of spiritual attributes. Yet, others state (and I believe) the writer is questioning why look to mounds of dirt to provide for a situation when we serve a God of Omnipotence, going on to say, "My help comes from the Lord. Who made heaven and Earth." This statement is a strong exhortation to the power and might of God. The individual is simply declaring that the same God who made heaven and earth...the same God who placed the luminous stars that shimmer and glimmer in the skies above...and divided the earth with mountains and valleys and masses of water- will provide any necessity and alleviate any difficulty.
Now let us examine this. Many of us look to this, that, and the other for our provisions. Our jobs, our bank account, our loved ones. Some look to material items while others call 1-900-psyhsic help line. There are those that look to Big Lotto, Little Lotto, and the Lotto in between. Some look to the gambling boat and others seek assistance in a bottle. We look up - down - and all around, but the scripture writer instructs us to look no further than God. Why, because we are KEPT!
Our trials seem monumental. Our tribulations appear unbearable. Our circumstances seem dismal. However, I come with words of encouragement folks. There is good news for those who believe and trust in the Lord. It is simply that "Help is on the way!" It may seem that it has been a long time coming - but God wants us to be still and allow him to fight our battles. Some one is faced with a problem at work; some one else may be dealing with a situation with a friend. There may be someone who has a problem at home or even in the church. These trials may appear to be of a magnitude that we cannot bear, but God is a Mighty God and can do anything but fail. The Psalm writer concludes for us that we ARE KEPT! Even if you are not experiencing a problem, it is comforting to know that you are kept! Kept meaning, everything provided, all things given, no worries, no doubts, no fears. Isn’t that an illustrious and grandeur concept? Oh, I am Kept!
Therefore, in times of adversity, where will we look, what will we do? We must follow the counsel of the Psalmist and Look to the Lord for our aid, our help, and our refuge. We must trust in him for our assistance, our provisions, and our peace. This Litany confirms that when troubles come we must look to the Lord-when slings and arrows bombard we must look to Jehovah--who is vigilant---and whom holds are lives in his hands. The writer wants us to conceive that when afflictions comes we must not look to anything or anyone for ultimate protection but the Lord.
Life is short even for the longest tenured. Danger looms from demons that dwell amongst us. Yet, the Psalmist realized as we all must, that when troubles arise we cannot look to the mountains for protection! We cannot depend upon mom or dad for security! We cannot count upon fortune or fame to sustain us! We must not aim to obtain security from our job, or monies, or automobile, or status. We must Look to God!
Listen...
The writers pens "Our God is vigilant when he writes "He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber," And further down he let’s us know that "the Lord is our shade at our right hand; the sun will not harm you by day or the moon by night." Meaning unlike us, who slumbers which allows us to be unaware of our surroundings, God never sleeps and is acutely apprised of everything that comes to pass. He does not call in sick or require vacation days or personal time. In other words, he is an "On Time" and a "Full Time" God. He puts in more than forty hours a week. His hours extend past the nine to five structure. He is aware of our every footstep.... and will not allow the to slip if we allow him to "Order of steps." The one and only who is able to keep us from falling. For those who God saves, he sustains. We are Kept!
I realize that there are times when it seems that nothing is going right. Moreover, the world is against you. However, if we would get out of the mix and allow God to fix our mess...life would be so much simpler. David wrote in the 23rd Psalm that "The Lord is my shepherd, and he supplies my every need." He did not say a percentage. He did not say a portion. He did not say part of. He said all!!!! That is what it means to be kept! No, I will not say you may not experience times when money seems short. But David gives encouragement in the 37th Psalm at the 25th verse "I have been young and now am old or in other words- in my life time. Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor their descendants beg for bread. Yes We Are Kept!
Some may ask, "Where was God when my life seemed to turn upside down." I am here to tell you the same place he was when his son was crucified! When Jesus shouted out "It is Finished", his enemies thought it was over and he had been silenced forever. But He Got Up! Yes we may fall down, we may struggle, we may experience difficulties. Nevertheless, because God is our Father and our provider...when we fall down, he will get us back up. We are Kept.
Because we are kept, we have triumph over tragedy
Because we are kept, we are not victims we are victorious
Because we are kept, we can shout out Yet Still I Rise
Because we are kept, we know that Weeping may endure for a while but Joy is coming!
Because we are kept, we recognize that though enemies may come God will make them our footstool
Because we are kept, we understand that though Satan is busy, Revelations 7th chapter beginning at the ninth verse is a warranty for our guarantee of victory! For it says "I looked and behold I saw a great multitude which no one could count. One of all nations, all tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Clothed in white robes with palm branches in hand. Crying out with joyous voice saying Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God." I want to be in that number -- don’t you? Being Kept!!!! That is a secure feeling. Kept so that we can sing in that great multitude "How I got over, How I got over, My Soul looks back and wonders How I got Over." Kept so that we to can shout "As soon as our feet strike Zion, we gonna lay down our heavy burdens. We will put on our robe in glory, Shout and tell the story. How we come over hills and mountains, but we made it to the crystal fountain. We have come to join the sons and daughters, who also came to drink from the healing waters." Oh to be kept, will allow us to rejoice as we say "some said I wouldn’t make it, Some said I wouldn’t be here today. Some thought I wouldn’t amount to anything. But here I stand Lord because you Kept Me! Oh I am Kept.
No this Psalm is not telling us we will never experience pain. It is not illustrating that illness or accidents will never occur. It is not a statement that secures us against injury or distress. It simply resolves that nothing will be able to separate us from God’s purposes in us. Nothing that happens to you, nor the trials you encounter have any power to get between you and God. Nothing can dilute his grace or divert his mercies.
In the words of Martin Luther
Though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us
We Are KEPT!!
For Romans 8 is a confirmation! That through the spirit we are kept! And that nothing will separate us from the Love of God! We are Kept!
Oh there will be obstacles, obstructions, hindrances, and impediments. There will be walls, mountains, and valleys. But my God said that nothing could. That we are more than conquerors! Neither death nor life, nor angels not even principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come. Not height or depth, nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus or Lord. Why? Because We Are Kept!
So be reassured that God is a keeper!
Be confident that he is a provider
Find peace in the fact that he is a sustainer
Be soothed in the knowledge that he is a bridge over troubled waters
Stand upon his Promise that the battles are not yours they are his
Cling to the fact that he is a Rock and he is your Shelter
Hold on to the provision that God is a battle ax in the time of war a shelter in the time of storm
Be comforted in knowing that he is Joy in times of Sorrow, He is Hope for tomorrow
Rest upon the fact that he can do anything but fail
We are Kept!
If you want a keeper and you are tired of trying to figure out what God has already worked out, than I dare you to try him! If you want a keeper and you are tired of the mess and now are willing to allow God to stir up the Gift, I challenge you to try God! If you want a keeper because you want peace and sweet rest and feel complete and blessed, I dare you to try God! If you want a keeper and you have tried it on your own, have become weary, and want rest, I dare you to try him. If you want a keeper, and you have called upon your friends and found upon them you cannot depend, I dare you to try God! If you want a keeper, and you want a new walk and a new talk, I dare you to try God. If you want a keeper, and you want to be to blessed to be stressed, I dare you to try God! If you want a keeper, and you have fallen down but you are now ready to get back up, I dare you to try God!
He is a keeper!
Those that are his are kept!
