I like the promise present in Psalm 121:
“The Lord retains you from all hurt and watches over your life.
The Lord retains watch over you as you come and go, each now and without end.”
—Psalm 121:7–8 (NLT)
It’s a kind of comforting, hope-filled passages that many people cling to — particularly throughout unsure seasons. And as I replicate alone life, I can actually say that God has watched over me in numerous methods. I’ve traveled to over 70 international locations, served in varied sorts of ministry, and had extra adventures than I in all probability ought to have — but I’m nonetheless right here, alive and properly at 70, by the grace of God.
However I’ve additionally skilled actual hurt.
Years in the past, I used to be mountain biking and worn out badly sufficient to knock out my 4 entrance enamel. That was no small accident — it was painful, traumatic, and dear. So how can I learn Psalm 121 with integrity? How do I reconcile a promise that claims, “The Lord retains you from all hurt,” with the very actual undeniable fact that I’ve been harmed?
Right here’s how I’ve realized to course of it:
1. God’s Safety Is Usually Everlasting, Not Simply Bodily
Psalm 121 isn’t essentially promising a harm-free life. As a substitute, it’s pointing us to a deeper fact: that nothing can in the end hurt your soul, your relationship with God, or your everlasting future while you belong to Him. Life might bruise us, however our everlasting life is safe.
2. God’s Watchful Presence Doesn’t Imply a Bubble-Wrapped Life
“The Lord watches over your life.” That doesn’t imply He prevents each accident, disappointment, or second of ache. It implies that in these moments, He’s nonetheless current — nonetheless holding you, nonetheless working to your good. Once I misplaced my enamel, God didn’t look away. He was with me, preserving me via it.
3. Struggling Has a Place in God’s Plan
None of us get pleasure from hardship, however Scripture reminds us that God makes use of it to construct one thing lasting in us. Paul says it this fashion:
“We rejoice in our sufferings, understanding that struggling produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
—Romans 5:3–4
Typically God permits ache as a result of it shapes us, humbles us, matures us, or protects us from worse outcomes down the highway. And typically we merely don’t perceive the “why,” however we nonetheless belief the One who holds the reply.
4. God Has Saved Me — Even When Issues Went Mistaken
It’s straightforward to give attention to what went improper. However what if we targeted on what might have gone extra improper? That bike crash might have ended my life. God has saved me time and again — and He’s saved you, too. We don’t at all times acknowledge His safety within the second, however we frequently see it extra clearly in hindsight.
5. Even Jesus Suffered
If we’re ever tempted to equate struggling with God’s absence, we solely want to have a look at Jesus. He was totally within the Father’s will and but suffered significantly. His struggling had objective — and ours can too. God doesn’t promise a bubble-wrapped life. He guarantees His presence within the fireplace, His consolation within the ache, and His redemption in the long run.
Psalm 121 remains to be true. The Lord nonetheless watches over you as you come and go — not simply within the straightforward seasons, however within the exhausting ones, too. He’s your Keeper, your Helper, your Protector.
So at present, for those who’re wrestling with ache or reflecting on previous hurts, bear in mind: God’s safety isn’t at all times about avoiding ache — typically it’s about being carried via it. You’re nonetheless right here. You’re nonetheless beloved. You’re nonetheless being watched over.
And He’s nonetheless devoted.
Associated
