In the biblical context, the concept of preserving encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life. It refers to God's providential care and protection over His creation, His people, and His Word. The theme of preservation is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Divine Preservation

God's role as the preserver of life is a recurring theme in the Bible. In Genesis 45:5-7, Joseph acknowledges God's hand in preserving life through his trials: "And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing or reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

The Psalms frequently highlight God's preserving power. Psalm 121:7-8 declares, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." This passage emphasizes God's comprehensive protection over His people, safeguarding them from harm and ensuring their spiritual well-being.

Preservation of the Righteous

The Bible assures believers of God's special care for the righteous. Proverbs 2:8 states, "He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of His saints." This protection is not merely physical but extends to moral and spiritual guidance, ensuring that the faithful remain on the path of righteousness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of God's preserving power in 2 Timothy 4:18 : "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Here, Paul expresses confidence in God's ability to preserve him through trials and ultimately bring him to eternal life.

Preservation of God's Word

The preservation of Scripture is another significant aspect of biblical preservation. Isaiah 40:8 affirms, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This verse underscores the enduring nature of God's Word, which remains unchanged and authoritative throughout generations.

Jesus Himself affirmed the preservation of Scripture in Matthew 5:18 : "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." This assurance highlights the divine safeguarding of the Scriptures, ensuring their reliability and truth.

Preservation through Obedience

While God is the ultimate preserver, Scripture also calls believers to participate in their own preservation through obedience and faithfulness. In Jude 1:21 , believers are exhorted to "keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life." This verse encourages active engagement in maintaining one's spiritual health and readiness for Christ's return.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes the role of personal diligence in preservation. In 2 Peter 3:17-18 , he warns, "Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Here, Peter highlights the importance of spiritual growth and vigilance in maintaining one's faith.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of preserving reflects God's unwavering commitment to His creation, His people, and His Word. Through divine protection, the assurance of His promises, and the call to faithful obedience, believers are encouraged to trust in God's preserving power throughout their lives.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Preserve.4047. peripoiesis -- preservation, acquisition
... Word Origin from peripoieo Definition preservation, acquisition NASB Word Usage
gain (1), obtaining (1), possession (2), preserving (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4047.htm - 7k

Psalm 138. Restoring and Preserving Grace.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 138. Restoring and preserving grace.
1 [With all my powers of heart and tongue I'll praise ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 138 restoring and preserving.htm

Psalm 138 Restoring and Preserving Grace.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 138 Restoring and preserving grace. LM Restoring and
preserving grace. [With all my powers of heart and tongue. ...
/.../the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 138 restoring and preserving.htm

Christ, by Preserving his Flesh Incorrupt in virginity, Draws to ...
... Chapter V."Christ, by Preserving His Flesh Incorrupt in Virginity, Draws to the
Exercise of Virginity; The Small Number of Virgins in Proportion to the ...
/.../chapter v christ by preserving his.htm

Preserving the Text.
... Preserving the Text. Believing fully and firmly that the Scriptures are
the word of God, we have sought to preserve all that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/preserving the text.htm

How the Senators Determined to Restore the Democracy; but the ...
... CHAPTER 2. How The Senators Determined To Restore The Democracy; But The Soldiers
Were For Preserving The Monarchy, Concerning The Slaughter Of Caius's Wife ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the senators.htm

Extracts No. 1.
... men who lived in other ages of the world, and under very different circumstances
from ourselves; whose opinions, all of which are worth preserving, might be ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no 1.htm

By, Through, Unto
... away,' and he says 'it is reserved in Heaven for you who are kept.' So, then, the
same power is working on both sides of the veil, preserving the inheritance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/by through unto.htm

The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as ...
... The last part exhibits the proofs drawn from ecclesiastical history, the perpetual
consent of the Church in receiving and preserving divine truth, the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 the credibility of.htm

In Reply to those who Ask Whether the Natures of the Lord are ...
... For being united in subsistence and permeating one another, they are united without
confusion, each preserving throughout its own peculiar and natural ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter viii in reply to those.htm

The Doctrines of the Followers of Ptolemy and Colorbasus.
... he was produced from those ten ??ons alone who sprung from Logos and Zoe, and that
on this account he was called Logos and Zoe, thus preserving the ancestral ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii the doctrines of the.htm

Preserving (10 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Preserve. Multi-Version Concordance Preserving (10 Occurrences). Luke
2:19 and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart; (YLT). ...
/p/preserving.htm - 9k

Embalming (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The process of preserving a body by means of
aromatics (Genesis 50:2, 3, 26). This art was practised by ...
/e/embalming.htm - 9k

Preserveth (15 Occurrences)

/p/preserveth.htm - 10k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... in length, preserving revenue laws of Ptolemy Philadelphus, dated in 259-258 BC
These were published in 1896 by Mr. Grenfell, the first of many important works ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Version
... "This version, with all its defects, must be of the greatest interest, (a) as
preserving evidence for the text far more ancient than the oldest Hebrew ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Urn (1 Occurrence)
... forms, usually a vase furnished with a foot or pedestal, employed for different
purposes, as for holding liquids, for ornamental uses, for preserving the ashes ...
/u/urn.htm - 7k

Ostraca
... 2. Greek Ostraca: Greek ostraca in large quantities have been found in Egypt,
preserving documents of many kinds, chiefly tax receipts. ...
/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 16:17 A highway of the upright 'is', 'Turn from evil,'
Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way. (See NAS). ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

Word (8118 Occurrences)
... (3) As a promise and ground of hope (Psalm 119:25, 28, 38, etc.; 130:5, etc.).
(4) As creative, upholding, and preserving (Psalm 33:6; compare Genesis 1:3 ...
/w/word.htm - 16k

Rameses (5 Occurrences)
... 3. Situation: There appears to have been no certain tradition preserving the site,
for though Silvia (about 385 AD) was told that it lay 4 miles from the town ...
/r/rameses.htm - 13k

Who were the scribes that often argued with Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

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Preserving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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