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God’s Preservation of His People
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As with verses which speak of God’s saving of his people, verses which speak of God’s preservation of his people are amongst the best-loved verses in the Bible. They contain some of the Bible’s great promises, which reassure us when we wonder if God has “lost our address”. As such they provide good reason for God’s people to trust in him and be at peace.
God Meets His People’s Needs
God cares for his people
The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble; he takes care of those who turn to him. Nahum 1:7 GNT
[Peter, to believers:] Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 GW
Note that this subsection points to the overall theme of this chapter. As such it is reflected in and pertinent to the whole chapter.
God meets his people’s physical needs even in harsh situations
[Levites, to God:] For forty years you sustained them. Even in the desert they never lacked anything. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. Nehemiah 9:21 NET
[David, to God:] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalms 23:5 ESV
Even amidst adversaries, God provided for David – as implied by “prepare a table [feast] before me” and “my cup overflows”.
God satisfies his people’s spiritual hunger and thirst
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 NET
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NET
God provides for all their needs – they will not lack anything
[Paul, to believers who had supported him:] And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NET
Then Jesus said to them [his disciples], “When I sent you out with no money bag, or traveler’s bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They replied, “Nothing.” Luke 22:35 NET
God Strengthens His People
God strengthens his people when they are weak
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 ESV
God strengthens his people in the face of adversity
[David, to God:] You give me strength for battle; you make my foes kneel before me. Psalms 18:39 NET
[Paul:] At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! 2 Timothy 4:16-17 NET
Note that in Paul’s letters “Lord” is generally understood to be a reference to Jesus Christ.
God strengthens them spiritually, until Christ’s return
[Paul, to believers:] You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you might patiently endure everything with joy … Colossians 1:11 ISV
[Paul, to believers:] He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8 NET
God Protects His People
God protects his people
[Joshua, to the Israelites:] He continually protected us as we traveled and when we passed through nations. Joshua 24:17b NET
God is a refuge for his people
He [David] said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, 3my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 ESV
God guards his people
Look! The one who is guarding Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. 5The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right side. 6The sun will not ravage you by day, nor the moon by night. 7The Lord will guard you from all evil, preserving your life. 8The Lord will guard your goings and comings, from this time on and forever. Psalms 121:4-8 ISV
God protects his people from all evil – including Satan
[David, to God:] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 ESV
[Paul, to believers:] But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NET
God will protect his people until the end
[Peter, to believers:] God’s power protects you through your faith until salvation is shown to you at the end of time. 1 Peter 1:5 NCV™
God protects his faithful people from spiritual harm throughout their lives, bringing their salvation to fruition at the end of the age.