The Guardian of the Soul

The Guardian of the soul.

1 Peter 2:25
²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)

I have seen those muscled-up, robotic bodyguards wearing sunglasses in the middle of the day surrounding famous people and thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be nice to be surrounded by people protecting me?” Then God reminds me today that He is the Guardian of my soul.

I love the idea of God going before me, being all around me, continually checking my six on high alert for anything that might come against me. Those who have seen angels describe them as large men with wings shrouded in light. Yeah, that’s the kind of bodyguard I want. We may not see it, but the Guardian of our Soul is always with us, never off-duty, and prepared to put down any threat.

The New Living Translation uses the word ‘guardian.’ The NIV uses “overseer.” The KJV uses “bishop of your souls.” This is more than personal security concerned only with outside threats. The Guardian of our soul is highly concerned with the interior threats of arrogance, pride, insecurity, and hopelessness. These threaten our peace and prosperity as children of God and they must be guarded against.

Our Guardian is a Shepherd guarding sheep against their own weaknesses. They have no natural defense but many natural predators. They can’t navigate to safe places for food and drink. The Shepherd knows the way and leads them to still waters and green pastures.

The Lord not only has our back, but He is aware of our weaknesses. He knows that we have no defense mechanism against our own sin. Without Him, we cannot become aware of our weaknesses. Obliviously, we move into harm’s way waiting to be devoured. But with Him, He leads, guides, protects us from ourselves and fights the enemy seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.

We were the defenseless lamb going our own way searching for sustenance in our souls without knowledge of where to find it. We were already entombed in the enemy’s sight, and we didn’t know it. Suddenly, we hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Guardian. He draws us to Himself with His staff and then turns to engage the wild demons coming for us. He is our Shepherd, our Guardian, our Savior. We are safe.

We find rest for our souls knowing He is on duty. The more we immerse our minds into this truth, the more fear, anxiety, and hopelessness diminish until we can lay down and take in the goodness of God even as the enemy prowls in waiting.

Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see how You protect and guide me in my weaknesses. Let this truth calm my soul and soften my fears. Amen.