Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zech 4:6

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. Ps 121:5

There are times in life when we all need help. We are reminded of that in many ways. The lyrics of a popular Beatles song is, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Seniors are reminded of their aging vulnerability and a medical alert aid with the tagline, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” So where do you go when you need help? Do you call on family or friends, or possibly, dial 911? We all need a place to turn in times of trouble. A support system to succeed in life. Someone to lean on along the way. The scripture passage reminds us that “the Lord is thy keeper.” A keeper is one who provides, protects, and is always present. Often illustrated in the Bible is a clear example of a keeper in the shepherd, the keeper of the sheep. He is constantly present to lead and guide, to provide their daily need, and protect them from danger, disease, and destruction. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep” (Jn 10:14). The children of God are His very own, “His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Ps 100:3). He is faithful and constantly present with each of His children such that “the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.” He is always near to His children, close by their side, to shade us with His presence. He is by the side of His children, ever present, ready to help and strengthen His call to duty. The right hand is the hand of hand of strength, work, and favor. We can always find Him ready to help, assist, provide, and protect, “for without Me (Jesus) you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Dear friend, God is faithful and He is always presence to His children, so that you can know and proclaim with great confidence “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13). For those who trust Him by faith, love Him and keep His commandments, “the Lord is thy keeper.” He is our constant, our protection, our very present help, and our help comes from the Creator of heaven and earth (v. 2). Our keeper watches our steps (v. 3), and though we may tire, He never sleeps nor slumbers (v. 4). The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (Ps 23) and He is our Keeper who “shall preserve thee from all evil; He shall preserve thy soul” (v.7). He is our salvation and eternal security. My friend, we all need help in our daily walk of life. Who will you call? God is faithful and always present to hear our call and help in times of need. Only “turn your eyes upon Jesus,” look fully to Him to lead, guide, and strengthen you to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Father thank You for Your love and faithfulness. You are my everlasting hope and my very present help. Help me to look to You and trust You, every step of the way. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious Name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen. Ps 72:18-19

I pray that you had a wonderful Christmas and a blessed day of worship with your local church on the Lord’s Day. So often at this time of the year we begin to reflect and recall the events and happenings over the past months. Some of those reflections and recollections may bring back memories of joyful celebration, gladness, happy occasions, as well as sadness and sorrow. While we cherish these thoughts and press each of them to their special place near in our hearts, let us be mindful of the wonders of God, His faithfulness and steadfast love. The psalmist reminds us to look unto “the Lord God…who only doeth wonderous things.” Everything that God is and does, is wonderful. His Name is Wonderful (Is 9:6). The world and all creation came out His wisdom and wonder. God, in His infinite wisdom created the plan of salvation for all mankind before the foundation of the world. And God, in the marvelous wonder of His work provided the most excellent, acceptable sacrifice “to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph 5:2) to redeem man from his sin. Dear friend, all who know the marvelous wonder of God can rejoice and give thanks and praise along with the psalmist to say, “Blessed be the Lord God…who only doeth wonderous things.” All His most marvelous work is through His Son, Jesus the Christ, the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:19-20), and in His wisdom is the salvation of all men, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). My friend, what will you do with your days ahead, which are blessing from God? Serve the Lord with gladness, rejoice, and give thanks, “for He is worthy to be praised” (Ps 18:3). Let ever thought and remembrance of the past be crowned with “blessed be His glorious Name for ever,” and may each day that God gives you, be filled with His presence and full of His Son that every day may “let the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Friend, you are precious in His sight and wonder of His works. Give praise to His Wonderful Name. Father, thank You for Your love and all the “wondrous things” of Your marvelous works. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.