DAY 3 - KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON
Milanna Martillaro, Creative & Production Resident
“… He who keeps you will not slumber” - PSALM 121:3
Do you ever just feel like God is in slumber? I think in a time like this where we are experiencing something completely unique and somewhat overwhelming the question in the back of our minds can easily be, “Where are you God?” Our world as we know it has changed almost overnight, and with so much uncertainty there might be a lingering piece of you that feels forsaken. Maybe you lost your job, maybe you don’t get to graduate now, maybe you or someone you love has the virus. If you’re battling these thoughts of fear and worry, let me encourage you…
Listen on full blast. Trust us, you’ll have it on repeat.
I have been almost bombarded lately with the word, “keep”. I hear it when I am praying or when I listen to worship music (shoutout to The Blessing by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes), I see it all over the bible when I am reading scripture. This simple word has seemed to be flooding my life, so I decided to dive into the question of, “What does it mean to be ‘kept’ by God?”
In Psalm 121 the bible tells us that the Lord is our keeper. It tells us he keeps us from all evil, that He keeps our life, and that He will keep our coming and our going from this time forth to forevermore! The Hebrew word for keep used here is “shamar” which when translated it means to watch over, to guard, to care for, to attend to. This one simple word has so much more power behind it than we might realize, it shows us that having God as our keeper means that He is actively watching over us, guarding us, caring for us, attending to us. That we are a prized possession, worthy of protecting.
I think in a time such as this, clinging to this thought and the depth of this word can bring so much peace. You don’t have to sit in anxious and fearful thoughts, wondering where God is during this time. God is fulfilling His role as your keeper, and your role in this is simple.
Jude 1:21 tells us to keep ourselves in the love of Christ. That is your role, to keep yourself in the love of Christ. And currently, we have the capacity to do that now more than ever! So young adult, I encourage you, during this time to press in more than normal. Cling to scripture, sign up to pray for an hour, fill your home with worship music, reach out to and encourage God’s people. Do not allow yourself to slumber, keep yourself in the love of Christ, and allow yourself to feel His protection, because “He who keeps you will not slumber.”
Love you fam, and can’t wait to see you again soon!