November 27:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in
Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with
my song I shall thank Him. – Psalm 28:7 (NASB)
David was a military genius. We often focus on five
smooth stones and a sling, and forget about the continuous
string of victories David led. His military prowess led the
Israelites to sing songs that included lines like: “Saul has
slain his thousands, but David his tens of thousands.” They
recognized David’s military superiority, even to their own
king.
Going back to the smooth stones and a sling, however, we
see the root of David’s success. Remember what he said to
the defiant Goliath on the field of battle? “You come to me
with sword and spear, but I come to you in the Name of the
Lord, My God!” David was assured of victory because he
trusted God.
Psalm 28 is one of many psalms that tell the same story. It
begins with a plea, “I cry out to you, God. Rescue me, or I
am surely going to die!” (Pastor James paraphrase, there.)
So, David is basically saying, “God, I am depending on
you. Without You, I am dead!”
Obviously, whatever battle or conflict David was pondering
as he wrote this psalm was one that ended in victory. I love
the central part, “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
therefore, my heart exults.” That is a beautiful picture of
faith, folks.
When I trust in God, I am helped. My heart is full of joy! I
cannot help but sing a song of thanksgiving! I don’t know
about you, but I need to practice that more. Give thanks!