1 Peter 1:5
NIV who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the
salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
RSV who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.
KJV Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.
DBY who are kept guarded by [the] power of God through faith for salvation
ready to be revealed in [the] last time.
YLT who, in the power of God are being guarded, through faith, unto
salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time,
AMPLIFIED Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's poer through [your]
faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be
revealed [for you] in the last time
Being Kept
Too many opportunities exist to lose what we have. Rules of life tell us
that all matter is constantly deteriorating. Just don't paint the
exterior wood trim on your home for ten years and see what happens. Ever
kept an automobile for 20 years and never had to fix it or replace a tire.
Whatever is used or stationary will deteriorate.
Our pleasure is the fact that our salvation, our right standing with the
Father, our entrance into His holy place, our acceptance as children of
the Most High God is kept, guarded, shielded, and garrisoned by His power.
Would not the eternal, immortal creator of life and liberty keep the very
person for whom His Son gave His life? Having paid such an enormous price
for our ransom, I believe He will protect us, His most precious commodity.
Commodities
Now that is an interesting term for us. The dictionary tells us that a
commodity is an article exchanged in commerce. The root meaning of the
word is "advantage or convenience." It definitely was not convenient for
Jesus to become flesh and live among us and die, and be resurrected. It
definitely was convenient for us for Jesus to become flesh and live among
us and die and be resurrected. The advantage is all ours, or is it?
Double advantage
The essence of good negotiating is ending up with a "win - win"
transaction. Both sides get what they want and feel good about the end
result. What happens when the transaction is all internal? What would be
the result of a "win - win" negotiation where the negotiator was buyer and
seller, giver and receiver. That is what happened on the cross. The
Father needed justice satisfied. His justice. The Father wanted us as
His own. So, He arranged a deal where He ransomed us from His justice.
It was most convenient for Him to not have to condemn us anymore. It was
most convenient for Him to have us as children. We were the convenience,
the advantage to the transaction.
GABLE
James shuddered. The prize bull he had bartered to get was sick beyond
help. Half his herd went for that bull. The vet had given up. His
brother had just left after two days of staying up with him and the bull.
All he had was on the line. The stakes of that barter were high.
Customers were lined up for months to breed with Gable, his prize, his
joy, his dream. Gable was fading. The income from his contracts would
keep his ranch afloat and provide the boost to build his own herd.
Achingly, he reached for the kerosene heater and turned it up another
notch. Somehow, he knew if he could just last out another night, Gable
would pull through. Somehow, he knew if he could keep the cold out, keep
the food in, keep the medicine injected , Gable would make it.
First light seemed to take longer that night than ever before. The pacing
through the night, the hours of prayer, and the determination to never
give up worked. Gable was on his feet. Gable was snorting to move
around. Gable made it. James made it. That Spring, James more than
prospered. He and Gable made a good team and built a fine ranch.
Garrisoned
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. When you enter
into prayer, remember He is working on your side all day and all night.
He is not about to relax for a second the protection, the keeping, the
wall of strength that surrounds you and take a chance. He paid a great
price for you. He gave the life blood of His Son.
About that double advantage. Remember, the Father got His Son back along
with you. He did not lose anything. He gave His Son and then got Him
back along with us. Don't think for a minute that He is not going to
protect that deal. The price was high and the deal is done. Now He is
about the business of keeping the goods in good shape so they can be
presented with great joy at the day of His appearing.
Gather Your Heart And Take Inventory
Do you doubt God's ability to keep you in His grasp?
What area of life seems to not be working?
Have you ever thought about leaning on His keeping power instead of trying
to do it on your own?
Gather Your Heart And Take Action
List three week areas of your life in regards to being strong and living
with character. Lay them out before the Father. Speak His keeping power
over them and then listen for Him to instruct through His handbook (the
Bible), what action you need to take along with Him to guard those items.
Gather Your Heart And Pray
Father, wow! How could you give so much for me? It is beyond my thoughts
that You gave Your only begotten Son so that I could be a part of the
family. I'm glad You got Your Son back . I'm glad we are all family
together. Thanks for building protection around me. Thanks for sticking
with me everyday. Thanks for that enormous keeping power that is on my
side. Help me to be a keeper of what you have entrusted to me. Help me
to stay in the garrison of Your love, in the cleft of the rock when I am
weak.