I love the promise found in Psalm 121:
“The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
—Psalm 121:7–8 (NLT)
It’s one of those comforting, hope-filled passages that many of us cling to — especially during uncertain seasons. And as I reflect on my own life, I can truly say that God has watched over me in countless ways. I’ve traveled to over 70 countries, served in various kinds of ministry, and had more adventures than I probably should have — yet I’m still here, alive and well at 70, by the grace of God.
But I’ve also experienced real harm.
Years ago, I was mountain biking and wiped out badly enough to knock out my four front teeth. That was no small accident — it was painful, traumatic, and costly. So how can I read Psalm 121 with integrity? How do I reconcile a promise that says, “The Lord keeps you from all harm,” with the very real fact that I have been harmed?
Here’s how I’ve learned to process it:
1. God’s Protection Is Often Eternal, Not Just Physical
Psalm 121 isn’t necessarily promising a harm-free life. Instead, it’s pointing us to a deeper truth: that nothing can ultimately harm your soul, your relationship with God, or your eternal destiny when you belong to Him. Life may bruise us, but our eternal life is secure.
2. God’s Watchful Presence Doesn’t Mean a Bubble-Wrapped Life
“The Lord watches over your life.” That doesn’t mean He prevents every accident, disappointment, or moment of pain. It means that in those moments, He’s still present — still holding you, still working for your good. When I lost my teeth, God didn’t look away. He was with me, preserving me through it.
3. Suffering Has a Place in God’s Plan
None of us enjoy hardship, but Scripture reminds us that God uses it to build something lasting in us. Paul says it this way:
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
—Romans 5:3–4
Sometimes God allows pain because it shapes us, humbles us, matures us, or protects us from worse outcomes down the road. And sometimes we simply don’t understand the “why,” but we still trust the One who holds the answer.
4. God Has Kept Me — Even When Things Went Wrong
It’s easy to focus on what went wrong. But what if we focused on what could have gone more wrong? That bike crash could have ended my life. God has kept me again and again — and He’s kept you, too. We don’t always recognize His protection in the moment, but we often see it more clearly in hindsight.
5. Even Jesus Suffered
If we’re ever tempted to equate suffering with God’s absence, we only need to look at Jesus. He was fully in the Father’s will and yet suffered greatly. His suffering had purpose — and ours can too. God doesn’t promise a bubble-wrapped life. He promises His presence in the fire, His comfort in the pain, and His redemption in the end.
Psalm 121 is still true. The Lord still watches over you as you come and go — not just in the easy seasons, but in the hard ones, too. He is your Keeper, your Helper, your Protector.
So today, if you’re wrestling with pain or reflecting on past hurts, remember: God’s protection isn’t always about avoiding pain — sometimes it’s about being carried through it. You are still here. You are still loved. You are still being watched over.
And He is still faithful.
