A local pastor gifted me a book entitled “100 Names of God.” The author, Christopher D. Hudson, writes in the Introduction of the book, “In the Bible, we discover dozens of names and titles for God. Each on of these names reveals some facet of God’s nature or reminds us of His dealings with humankind.”
The author adds. “This little book is not exhaustive, focuses brief attention on 100 names, titles, and descriptions of God.”
Recently, I had overheard a conversation between two women, discussing one of the women’s newfound friend. I did not hear all the lofty descriptions that the lady used to describe here new friend who she was developing a close relationship with and had thoughts about marriage in the near future, but I definitely heard these distinct words spoken by the women who was listening to her friend raving on about this new man in her life. She says, “He’s a keeper!”
Those words stayed on my mind because I had heard them before, and the person described turned out to be a disappointment and not a keeper. Of course, I thought about The Keeper, God. He is never a disappointment. So, I went to my aforementioned gifted book to see if I could find the Hebrew name for “Keeper.” I went through the index twice, but unless my eyes betrayed me or the quickness of my search forsook me blinded me, I didn’t find it in the 100 names. I had to keep in mind that the author had said that the names in his publication was not exhaustive.
So, I did a quick search and found the word in the title above, “Shamar.” The Hebrew origins of this name means to keep, to guard, and to preserve. I said to myself, “That’s my God!’ Scripture backs up my boast! Read the verses below and see if I am not right about it! Really, I want you to go further then reading the verses, but I hope you are encouraged to put your trust in the Lord! Be blessed!
“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in [everything that you do] from this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 121:5-8 The Amplified Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King