The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. Psalm 121:7  Berean Standard Bible 

In church this morning, Psalm 121 was the appointed Old Testament reading to add some context to the sermon from John 17. I had sat down before the service feeling distracted. But listening to Pastor Jim read verse seven calmed the fluttering fear fragments encircling me. Unable to point to anything specific, I just felt preoccupied with the usual anxieties accompanying this teetering world.  When I had time after lunch, I looked up this verse, examining a couple of words.  Jim read from the ESV which translates nephesh as life.  

God declares He will guard me from all evil. But I know that He does not stop ‘early’ deaths all the time. Babies die in the womb and in childhood. Disease, war and accidents claim the lives of many believers before anyone would expect them to die.  So where is the comfort of knowing that the Lord protects me and my loved ones from all evil?  

The word used, nephesh, can also indicate the soul. What is absolutely true is that all the time God is protecting the souls of His elect. My problem is in undervaluing my soul. Maybe I am more like the rich man in the parable, the one who felt secure due to the growth of ‘Big Barn Investments’.  Jesus draws attention to what this Hebrew has overlooked, his soul. No manner of wealth will protect his soul.  Only God can. 

My ‘barn’ may not be one filled with material wealth, but I know I can fall into following and idolizing ideal health practices. Help me, Father, to appreciate more each day how You keep my soul.