The LORD is my strength and my shield;
Psalms 28:7 NIV
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Like many of the psalms, Psalm 28 is a prayer for deliverance. David was facing challenging times, and he brought his troubles before God. But, as he usually did, David ended with a note of trust and commitment to God. And, as he frequently did, David’s hope is at least partially expressed in military terms.
David was a warrior. And he understood the importance of both strength and defensive protection. God gave David the strength to endure and be victorious over those who opposed him. And God was also his shield, protecting him from those who opposed him.
David put his trust in the Lord. And his trust was deep-seated. With all that he was, David trusted God. And his trust was rewarded. God helped him through all of the challenges he faced.
As I write this, our world is in turmoil. Disease, conflict, and unrest abound. The enemies we face are generally not attacking us with swords and spears, although the attacks may cause physical, emotional, or economic damage. And we may feel helpless in the face of the onslaught.
But David’s words are true for each of us. For those who trust in the Lord, he will provide the strength to overcome. And he will protect us from the evil one and his followers. That is not a guarantee that you will not suffer in this world. But if we trust in him, we can rest assured that whatever happens, he will protect us and give us the strength to endure. And that, in the end, he will bring us to himself.
