FEBRUARY 5, Psalm 121:3-5

Diane was excited! Her family was going on an all-day excursion to the zoo. “I love watching all the animals, but the penguins are my favourites,” she said. “They look so funny strutting around on land, and it’s even more fun to watch them swim. They look like they’re flying underwater!” Whenever she went swimming herself, Diane would try to imitate the smooth, flowing motions of the funny birds.

At the zoo, a guide explained how the penguin room was kept cold so the birds would be comfortable. “Otherwise,” said the guide, “the birds will get sick and possibly die from the hot climate of Singapore.” Diane listened eagerly as he described a number of other special things that were done to keep the penguins comfortable and healthy.

That evening, Dad turned to Psalm 121 for their family devotion. “Do these verses remind you of those penguins?” he asked after reading from the book of Psalm. “Remember how careful the zookeepers are in taking care of them?”

Diane nodded. “They make sure they get certain foods, and the right temperature and even special lights!” she replied. “The guys who take care of them - the zookeepers -know how to keep the conditions just right so the penguins won’t get sick.”

“Yes, and this Psalm tells me that God does the same thing for us,” said Dad. “Just think of what would happen if it hailed all the time, or if it suddenly got as hot as an oven. God knows the conditions we need in life, and He’s the one who controls our environment.”

“So we have a ‘keeper,’ just like the penguins do. God is our keeper, right?” asked Diane. “I think one of the verses in that Psalm says that, doesn’t it?”

Dad nodded. “God not only controls our physical environment, but also all the situations and circumstances that affect our lives. He is our keeper, and He does a perfect job, allowing only what is good for us — whether it seems good to us or not.”

Thought: Did you know that it is God who keeps you day by day?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Keeper. I am so glad that You do not need to rest, so every minute of every day, I have You watching over me! You are the one who provides the air I breathe, the food and water I need, and the type of environment in which I need to survive in. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.