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There is nothing to which we are naturally more prone, nothing more dangerous, nothing so difficult to eradicate as self-confidence. And yet there is nothing so delightful as to feel that we have not anything in ourselves in which we can be confident. For the moment we have arrived at that experience we are prepared to turn to Him without whom we can do nothing."

I. IN WHAT SENSE THE LORD IS THE KEEPER OF HIS PEOPLE.

1. In one sense the Lord is the keeper of all; for "in Him all live, and move, and have their being." And the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:10) speaks of Him as "the Saviour, or preserver, of all men, specially of those that believe."

2. He speaks of keeping them as a city from an enemy.

3. He speaks again of keeping them as a vineyard from foxes. In Song of Solomon 2:15 we read, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Those things which may appear gentle and innocent have a tendency to undermine the work of indwelling grace.

4. Again, the Lord speaks of keeping His people as the apple of His eye.

5. I might speak again of the fires of persecution, through which His people are called to pass. For here again the Lord is the Keeper of His people.

6. He not only defends and preserves His people, but He keeps them refreshed in seasons of drought by continual and plentiful supplies of mercy and grace. So in the text He says, "I will water it every moment?"

II. WHEN IS IT THAT HE KEEPS THEM? "By day and by night." He watches over them continually, in the bright day of prosperity and in the dark night of adversity.

III. HOW IS IT THAT THE LORD KEEPS HIS PEOPLE?

1. By His angels (Hebrews 1:14).

2. By His ministers; by their warning voice in public; or by that advice and reproof, and instruction which they give in private.

3. By His providential dispensations.

4. By His own omnipotent arm. His people are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

IV. WHAT WARRANT WE HAVE AS HIS PEOPLE TO EXPECT THAT THE LORD WILL BE OUR KEEPER.

1. The first plain proof of this is, that as His people we are not our own, but given to Christ.

2. Coupled with this, we may consider the faithfulness of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

3. Connect with this, the consideration of the love of Jesus for His people.

4. Indeed, we have as believers the warrant of the Triune Jehovah for believing that the Lord will be our keeper. Bear in mind that, until the time when knowledge shall be increased, and faith and hope end in sight and enjoyment, we shall never be aware of the full extent of our obligations to Him as the Keeper of His people. Yet, while we thankfully lay hold of the comfort which this truth is calculated to give, let us remember that our own responsibility is not overthrown. On the contrary, it is increased. For though encouraged to trust in the Lord as our keeper, there is no excuse for neglect of duty on account of our own weakness; but rather encouragement to say with the apostle, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me."

(M. Villiers M. A.)

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KJV: I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

WEB: I, Yahweh, am its keeper. I will water it every moment. Lest anyone damage it, I will keep it night and day.