“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.”
– Psalm 28:7
When David began this psalm, he expressed concern that his prayers weren’t being heard. He was concerned God had nothing further to say to him. He feared that God’s justice wouldn’t be done and His mercy would be withheld. These are concerns that many believers can identify with. We can go through dry seasons in which God feels distant, silent, and uncaring. We can look around the world and be concerned that God’s justice isn’t coming and His mercy toward His people has gone missing.
Fortunately, David knew his Lord! He knew these doubts and questions in his heart didn’t reflect the unchanging nature of His Creator. David’s words should be the confident words of everyone who is in Christ. If Jesus is your Savior, then you have been adopted by God, you’re loved by God, and He has promised to never leave or forsake you. Even when His work is hard to see in your life, you can trust God the way David trusted God. The simple act of trusting God when you have doubts and concerns is a genuine spiritual help as David says here.
Trust that God IS your strength and shield. Trust in His strength rather than your own, His protection rather than protecting yourself. Rather than complain about what you believe is missing in your life, give thanks for what you have in Christ. Union with Him. Forgiveness of sins. Everlasting life. Fellowship with the saints. Salvation. Sanctification. The promise of glorification. Love. Presence. Holiness. Exult in God! Worship Him, praise Him, trust Him. Even, or especially, when you might be questioning Him. #FollowJesus