...Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou has given me.....

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name; those that thou gavest me I have kept....

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil [one].  (John 17:11,12,14 - word in brackets implied).

The Lord Jesus Christ speaking....His great high priestly prayer.  Seven times in this chapter, the Savior speaks of believers as gifts--given to Him by His Father, the Lord God Almighty.  During His earthly ministry, Christ kept them by the authority of the Father (verse 12).  Now, He is about to leave the world.  So, He places His love gifts, the believers, back in the hand of the Father for safe keeping.  We remember what the Good Shepherd said in John Chapter 10:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no [man] is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."  (Jn. 10:27-29).

Certainly the Christian life is a journey wrought with many trials, both hills and valleys.  But the journey ends at the front porch of God who has always walked with us, and who will welcome us home.

"In my Father's house are many mansions1; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also....I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  (John 14:2,3,6).

1 from the Greek mone, literally "abiding places" or "abodes."