God is Keeper. In Hebrew shamar means to keep, to guard, to watch. When keeper is used as a noun in the bible it is mainly to describe an occupation, for example, you can say shepherd or a keeper of sheep.
A king in the OT was one appointed by God to be keeper of God’s people, Israel. It wasn’t to be just a position to reign over but God set it up so that they should keep, guard, and watch over His people. Much more personal. God wanted to occupy that position over His people but they demanded a king. Unfortunately, no human king would truly keep His people as God wanted to keep His people. They rejected His care over them.
Prov 24:12 – The Keeper of my soul is He who knoweth. Is 27:3 – I, Jehovah, am [my people’s] Keeper, every moment I water it, lest any lay a charge against it, night and day I keep it. Ps 121:7-8 “The Lord will KEEP you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over (and guard) your coming and going both now and forevermore. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.”
When God says that He will keep your soul, that is a promise. God is a Promise Keeper. [II Chron 6:14] “O Lord, God of Israel...you who KEEP your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.” There are literally thousands of promises like this in the bible and God keeps every single one of them without fail.
When you feel weak, the bible says [II Chron 16:9] His eyes look to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. When you feel alone, you can count on God for He says He will never leave you. When you are afraid, God says He will fight for you. When you cannot manage, God says I will supply all your needs. When you feel you are not smart enough, His word says I generously give wisdom, just ask. When you confess your sins, God promises to forgive every time. When you cannot figure life out, God promises to direct your steps. When you feel temptation at your door, He will provide a way of escape. When you are weary, He promises to give you rest. When you think you cannot go on, God says you can do all things through Him. When you feel no one loves you, God says I love you more than you know. He never fails in keeping His promises.
God is described as the Shepherd or Keeper of Sheep. Is 40:11, “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. God's followers are described as the sheep and His flock.
The shepherd would build a corral. The shepherd would then guard over the flock and the corral would be a hedge of protection around them. They hear it and follow Him. They won’t listen to or follow a stranger’s voice. The Shepherd knows them and they know Him.
Matt 25:32 – But when He [Jesus] saw all the people, He was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and wandering like sheep without a keeper/shepherd. Jesus came to seek and save what was lost. Jesus told a parable where a shepherd left 99 sheep in open country to go and find one lost sheep. Jesus says, “in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Allow God to be your Keeper because that is what Jesus did. In John 15:1 – Jesus says, I am the true vine, and My Father is the Vineyard Keeper. He yielded to the Vineyard Keeper to do the pruning and maintaining so the branches would be more fruitful. God wants to keep us all our days if we let Him, but always through Jesus. I Cor 1:8 - God will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return.
Here is a blessing from Num 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and KEEP you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
