OUR GLORIOUS LORD KEEPS US FROM FALLING.

Paul was not ashamed to write, ‘For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able to keep what I have committed to HIM against that day.’

( 2 Timothy 1:12) One translation gives the meaning, ‘To guard our deposit.‘ We may occur losses in commercial undertakings; in sporting events; in study courses; in our health; but our Lord Jesus has assured us that we are secure in HIM for all eternity. How precious when we are convinced of this. Share this truth with your children and grandchildren that they will have a secure grasp by faith on life.

In the Philippian letter ( 4:7 ), Paul encouraged us ‘To be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made to God; following on with the amazing promise , ‘the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When the terrorist bombing of Bali occurred 12 months ago, Australia was numbed with grief. Many sat quietly before their television for days, piecing together news of the depth of the loss of over 200 lives, nearly half of which were Australian. Believers in the living God prayed; the bible brought deep comfort to loved ones;

Truly the Lord comforted the hearts and minds of all who leaned heavily on Him.

During my stay in hospital work in Papua New guinea during WW11, I often went alone at night into the jungle with my Lord. There I learned the appealing Jude 24,

‘Now unto HIM who is able to keep you from falling; ( army life presented many subtle temptations ) and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God, our Saviour. ’Be glory, dominion, majesty, and power now and forever.’ I memorised it, silently squatting in the tropical night.

Thanks be to God it is as fresh and fragrant as when the Lord burned it on my mind. ’He is able to keep from falling.’ Tell it to the young men who are in the forces; or in the universities, where their faith in Christ will be challenged.

God has actually promised He will keep us from the fiery darts of the evil one. ‘The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and keep=p you from the evil one.’ ( 2Thess 3:3 ) Our faithful God is unchanging and will establish us in our faith and walk with Him. With strong faith and sure walk, then the promise of His vigorous keeping will preserve us from the evil one. Blessed comfort, that we do not need to shrink and cower before the evil one. As a child of the King, we have inward, spiritual support; for the king of terrors is trounced.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs there and is safe’. Our Lord Jesus touched on this theme in His high priestly prayer in John 17. Yes, even on the eve of His crucifixion. ‘ Now I am no longer in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me; that they may be one as we are.’ (v11). Our beloved Lord prayed for His true church that the Father would keep them, preserving them in the power and authority of His eternal Name. So authoritative is His holy Name. No wonder the Word tells us not to take the Name of the Lord in vain; and if so, the Lord would not hold us guiltless. In the purifying and sustaining Name of the Lord, He has preserved believers in every country and tribe from that hour until He comes again for His church.

The missionaries of the Unevangelised Fields Mission urged me to sit quietly in the dug-our canoe while they visited on the fly river Papua New guinea. Crocodiles may swim under the canoe to upset it, and then seize a victim. Sit still! I surely did.

I learned to call on the Name of the Lord, for whosoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.’ He keeps us, in crisis hours, through His awesome Name.

The Lord had drawn near to Jacob, who dreamed ‘and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending ( they had come first from glory) and descending ( returning to earth’s need ) on it. ’The Lord stood above it and said,’ I Am the Lord God of Abraham, your father, and the God of Isaac( your son ) ; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.’ Then followed the prophecy that they would be as the dust of the earth; would be scattered to the four corners of the earth; and the incomparable promise, ’In your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Christ would completely fulfil that foretelling.

This background fortified the promise that Jacob would shortly hear from the voice of the Lord. ’ ’Behold, I Am with you and will keep you wherever you go ,and will bring you back to this land.’ for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.’ Heaven-wood movement of angels; The Lord’s standing at the head of the ladder; the promise of the scattering of the nation of Israel; the coming of the Messiah Lord Jesus; and then a personal assurance of His Presence and His keeping or preservation. We conclude that the keeping power of our Lord is of eternal significance in the Lord’s eyes. Thank HIM constantly for safeguarding us

David affirmed this when he wrote, ‘.He who keeps Israel shall neither s