I was making my way home from church Sunday afternoon.  Across the road I noticed a small sparrow dive-bombing a black bird.  I was humored by the scene.  As I proceeded, I realized the small sparrow was guarding her nest with great gumption.  I was so occupied with what was taking place I slowed down in the road to watch.  (I know I need a hobby.)

The word “gumption” means to have “initiative, aggressiveness, courage, spunk, guts.”  I cannot think of a better description of that small sparrow…

The Scriptures challenge those who follow Jesus to guard several things with even more gumption than that small sparrow.  As a matter of fact, God takes the initiative to guard us as well.  Be encouraged today and allow the Scriptures to speak into your life as it has mine this morning.  There are certain things that are my responsibility to guard and many things that are God’s responsibility…

My responsibility…  

I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” (Psalm 39:1 ESV)

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3 ESV)

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:13 ESV)

Keep (guard)  your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23 ESV)

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (Ecclesiastes 5:1 ESV)

So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. (Malachi 2:15 ESV)

Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”… (1 Timothy 6:20 ESV)

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. (2 Timothy 1:12 ESV)

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:14)

His responsibility…

He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9 ESV)

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11 ESV)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

We are to do our part with aggressiveness and we can count on God to do His part in faithfulness!