Read Psalm 28
One of the things I like about this psalm is how it covers the gamut of emotions from lament to praise. It’s a good reminder for us to always bring praise to God even when we are feeling weak or troubled by life’s circumstances.
David opens the psalm declaring it as a prayer to God, his “rock.” David acknowledges God and wants an audience with him. Isn’t that the same for us when we pray. Don’t we often seek God’s counsel, his help, and even his retribution for those who have wronged us, just like David is?
Verse 7a is one of the memory verses the girls at the orphanage worked on last quarter. “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.” I think of memory verses like tools in my toolbox. This verse would be that “tool” I’d grab if I was feeling weak or unsure. Kids these days, and adults too for that matter, often find themselves in situations were they are unsure. The assurance this verse gives is the perfect “tool” for certain situations. It’s always a good reminder to remember who we put our trust in.
David, the anointed king, puts his trust in God. I wish more of our leaders today had this same allegiance. It is my prayer for those in leadership roles to know God and seek his counsel like David demonstrates.
We can find so many good role models in the Bible, with their flaws and all. Certainly, David is not blameless. What sets David apart is that he is known to be a man after God’s own heart. Even the apostle Paul preached this about David when he said in Antioch, “But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22)
The other line that really seemed to jump off the page for me was found in verse 9. “Bless Israel, your special possession.” With all the tension in the Middle East and especially between Israel and the Hamas crisis. I cry out with David here asking God to Bless Israel. What does it mean to be God’s special possession? The Israel nation is God’s chosen people, the ones he rescued from Egypt and led to the Promised Land.
Many years have passed since God allowed Babylon to take his “special possession” into captivity. If you’ve read through the book of Job recently, you’ve seen again how God allows things to happen to his favored ones. Sometimes I wonder why God allows some of the things he does. I have to trust he knows best. Just like this psalm reminds us.
Our forever with God is only possible because of our Great Shepherd, King Jesus himself. King David had once been a shepherd and knew the true meaning of what that means. David knew that God nurtures and cares for his people like a shepherd tends to his sheep. So many meaningful connections in this psalm!
Pick your favorite part of this psalm for what you are walking through right now. Reflect on how David was writing this perfect message for you all those years ago. Marvel in how God’s word continues to speak to us when we are ready to listen.
Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for how you put up the shield of protection around me. I know there are times of testing I must endure as well, but in those times I draw closer to you and that’s so worth it. May the light of Christ burn brightly within me so that others will see me glowing. I want to give glory to you, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
