“For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are PRESERVED for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalm 37:28
Who loves to grow a garden? Is it a flower garden or a vegetable garden? I personally have not grown a garden (either flower or vegetable). First of all, because I have a black thumb! I grew up with my mom having a house full of plants (live ones) and also a garden. I have only been able to keep one live plant alive in my house and it is a start off of one of my grandmother’s so I do make a little more effort with it … although it has its moments as well.
We were just at our friend’s house while traveling for meetings and my husband asked her where her garden was this year. The last time that we were there we got to spend some time out in her garden picking from the fruits of her labors. We not only got to pick, but come supper time, we got to feast on it as well. Yum! This year she only has tomatoes though and they were not ripe yet. I was sharing with her about our fig bushes how big and healthy they are and how abundant the figs are on them this year. So, guess what she did? She gave me a case of pint jars. Why would I need jars? To preserve those figs when they ripen!
For a number of years in the fall time, we had some friends who would bring us bushels (yes, I said bushels!) of apples from the North Carolina mountains. Now, there is nothing better than a mountain apple. But, when I had so many at one time, I needed to preserve them. I did this in a number of ways. One was by making apple pie filling and freezing it. Yum! Another was by baking apple pound cake. Double yum! Yet another was making apple butter. Triple yum!
In this verse, David is reminding us that God has preserved His saints. To preserve means to maintain or more literally retain. When I think of this, I immediately think of my salvation. God has not only saved me, but He has saved me for ETERNITY! He has retained [continues to keep possession of] my salvation. He has preserved my salvation. Hallelujah! Is not this shouting ground?
Once I am saved, I will ALWAYS be saved. I may sin, but it is not a sin unto the loss of my salvation. Christ died on the cross one time, my friend. He paid it ALL that day. Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.” I will continue to sin, while living in this house of flesh, and Christ will forgive me when I confess that sin to Him, but I do not have to get saved all over again. He did that work ONE time!
God not only preserves me (retains me), but He also preserves me (maintains me). My salvation is secure in His retaining and my life in Christ is also secure in His maintaining. Each and every day, I have the assurance that He is with me! Each and every day, I have the assurance that He will guide me! Each and every day, I have the assurance that He wants what is best for me! Each and every day, I have the assurance that God PRESERVES me! Is He preserving you also, my friend?