24 Apr 2012 A kept woman

by Marilyn Mathis

Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable gives the meaning and origin of phrases used in literature and everyday speech. 

While browsing through this book, I was amazed at the number of phrases using the word “keep.”

“Keep company” — to be or act as a sweetheart.

“Keep cool” — to retain one’s self-control.

“Keep a stiff upper lip” — to preserve a resolute appearance.

“Keep one guessing” — to keep one uncertain or “in the dark.”

“Keep lip buttoned” — to maintain silence. (Oh, that’s hard to do!)

“Keep nose clean” — stay out of trouble.

“Keep fingers crossed” — to “pray” for success or merely to avert defeat, failure or bad luck. 

(Did you know that this is a layperson’s modification of the sign of the cross?)

“Keep tabs on” — to observe someone long and closely to see what she is up to or how she is getting on.

I like that last one because it reminds me that God “keeps tabs on” me. Psalm 121:3-5 says, “He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper.” 

The Bible has many other verses that use the phrase “keep you.” What does it mean for God to “keep you” – to be a KEPT WOMAN?

1. He will keep you as the apple of His 

    eye. Psalm 17:8

The apple, or pupil, of the eye is precious and to be guarded with utmost care. Did you know that the innermost part of a castle is the keep? It was there that the lord of the castle kept his treasure, what was valuable to him. A modern parallel is a safe. Because we are the “apple of His eye,” His valuable treasure, God is our safe. We are kept safe by Him because He loves us. Are you the apple of His eye?

2. He will keep you as a shepherd keeps 

    His sheep. Jeremiah 31:10

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that the sheep have been scattered, but God will gather and keep His flock. The word “scattered” means “to break apart, disperse, chop to pieces or to cast abroad.” Do you ever feel broken, pulled apart or scattered by a new job or a new home when the old one has been broken apart by death or divorce? Illness, rebellious children, wayward spouse or any of the many reasons that our lives have been “chopped to pieces” can make us feel like Humpty Dumpty. We think no one can put us back together again. Our Shepherd promises that He will keep you. He will care for and deliver you. He is with you and will never leave or forsake you.

“Able to keep!” how sure is the word!

He is my Keeper, Savior, and Lord;

“Never shall perish,” one of His sheep,

Glory to God!  He is able to keep. — Anon.

3.  He will keep you in perfect
     peace. Isaiah 26:3 

Perfect peace! What a promise! This literally means “peace, peace—full peace, genuine well-being.” How do we get this peace? It is a gift from God through His son, Jesus Christ. In Christ, we can have peace with God and the peace of God. Isaiah tells us that “the mind that stays on Him” will be kept in His perfect peace. Where is your focus? What do you think about? Are you experiencing His peace?

4. He will keep you from stumbling.
    Jude 24-25

What causes you to stumble? Obstacles in your path? Stones? God does not promise to remove the stones or obstacles from your path, but He does promise to make them stepping stones and not stumbling blocks. Just hold tightly to His hand.

5. He will keep you in all your ways.    
    Psalm 91:11

Robert Bruce, a gallant Scottish king, was running for his life, fleeing persecutors. He ducked into a
small cave, and a spider immediately appeared and spun a web over the opening. Bruce’s pursuers fanned across the landscape, knowing he was near. Two of them approached the cave, and one of the men started to go in. The other one stopped him, saying, “He could never have gotten in there without breaking the spider’s web.” The men left and Bruce breathed this prayer, “O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place for me a shelter.” HE IS OUR KEEPER IN ALL OUR WAYS!

I don’t know about you, but I praise God that I am a KEPT WOMAN! ARE YOU?

“The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make

His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the

LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” 

Numbers 6:24-26