Safe Keeping
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis
“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”—Jude 24 NIV
We keep a lot of things: mementos from a family road trip, menus from our favorite restaurants, leaves from the tree in our backyard, seashells from the seashore. We keep time, money, dates and appointments, and we keep on keepin’ on. In our minds, these things we keep are valuable, irreplaceable and part of our lives. One day they will be passed onto the next generation and will tell a story of our time here on earth.
We also like to keep track of our spending, our time away from home, our time in our home, our time with our children and our time with our spouses. If there is an imbalance, we try to reign it in. Not easy, but worth it.
God keeps a lot too. He keeps us from stumbling. Just right there is enough for me. How often when I embark ‘on my own, in my own way’, do I fall flat on my face, let alone stumble? When our eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ, He keeps our feet on the right path. We are not even looking at where our feet are going, we just follow with our eyes on the Master. How is this possible to not watch where we are going?
During my five-year long journey of suffering with broken feet, my daughter would constantly remind me to be mindful of my feet. To pay attention to where I was stepping, what I was stepping onto, and how I was going to get from point A to point B. It was very useful because while I was walking, I would be talking and would forget to be mindful—thereby getting myself in trouble with the feet.
Knowing God keeps me from stumbling, spiritually, is quite comforting. Following Jesus is a life-long journey with many ups and downs, turns and twists, mistakes and triumphs. But I need not worry about tripping or falling off the road because Jesus has me. He is keeping me, He is protecting me, He is holding me.
Yes, He is holding me. Just like a daddy keeping watch over his little one, daddy holds the little one in his big strong arms. This act makes the child feel safe, loved and protected. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us if we let Him and do not squirm out of His arms. If only we will submit to God and let Him be our Keeper.
What does God not keep? A record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). We are told God is love in 1 John 4:16. Therefore, God does not keep a record of wrongs. This only applies to those who acknowledge Him as Lord. For those whose names are written in the Book of Life, judgment will be for our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10). But for those who have not chosen to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they too will be judged, will not be found in the Book of Life and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). What a sobering day that will be for many.
But it does not need to end there. God’s mercy is for all and is ready for the asking.
Did you know God keeps mercy for us which is forever? Mercy is what many who cried out to Jesus in need of healing (like blind Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52). Mercy is what follows us, according to Psalm 23:6. God keeps it, guards it and then lavishes it on us. What a wonderful God we have and serve!
Now, may I bless you with this promise found in Numbers 6:24-26 NIV? “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Let’s Pray: Father God, You are so gracious to us to hold and keep us. You do this so willingly and with abundance. You are faithful and eternal. You are the One who holds me so I do not stumble. Thank You for helping me to keep my feet on the path You marked out for me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection #1: “Order My Steps” by GMWA Women of Worship. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “I Call You Faithful” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” by John Rutter. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.
Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.
Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.
Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.
Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.
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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog
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