Day 13: Our Shield

Read: Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped, my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”

Understand:

1. Who is our strength and shield?
2. What should we do in our hearts toward the Lord?

Listen:

Question number 2 above asks what we should do in our hearts toward the Lord. There is one thing I want to point out that isn’t specifically stated but you should have been able to infer from the words: “. . . and with my song . . .” We trust the Lord. We exult Him and we give thanks to Him but we are also supposed to praise Him. I’m not sure if He requires us to sing. In fact, I hope not because I can’t carry a tune for anything but the point is, we are told to give Him praise. Deuteronomy 28 gives us an idea of how blessed we are when we take God’s word and not only listen to it but live it through our actions. Read some of the benefits it says here:

And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …

We might have a tendency to overlook the smallest things when are reading scripture. In our verse today, it is refreshing to know that we get strength, help, and protection from God. Who wouldn’t want to give thanks for that? But don’t overlook how thanks is being given in this verse: “with my song.”

My husband was telling me about a faculty meeting he went to this morning with all staff attending. The Head of School talked then was going to lead the group in prayer when one of the teacher’s stood up and said, “I just have to sing” and broke into song praising God with “How Great Thou Art.” This might seem weird to some people but let me tell you a little about her. This past year, she found out she had cancer. She went into surgery but when she went back, they told her there was more that they had to take out. Not only that, she now had to begin chemotherapy treatments. For months, she was sick each time she took a treatment but her attitude remained positive. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to come back this school year and teach but, God gave her strength, helped her, and protected her and she is back and teaching this school year – and I might add, just as happy and smiling as she always had been. To her, she just needed to praise God and the Holy Spirit led her to do this right in this meeting. Needless to say, as my husband put it, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. That time of worship was not only her giving thanks but also allowing others to worship God and give thanks too. The entire staff walked out of there uplifted and emotional but stronger for it. What a way to offer praise!

Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the strength You give us, for helping us, and for protecting us. May we continuously give You thanks remembering all of the blessings You pour out on us when we are obedient to Your word. You give us instructions and guidance for our life through Your word. May we embrace it and live to bring You glory. In Jesus name we pray, amen.