Psalm 28 The Lord is My Strength and My Shield

The greatest benefit I enjoy in my Christian faith is that I don't walk alone through life. My God is with me in the joys of life and he is with me in my darkest moments. I can talk to my God about my problems and he will listen to me. God not only listens to me, but he also speaks to me offering encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Silence from God is a sign of judgment or displeasure. In Psalm 28, David indicates to God that his silence may cause him to become like the unbelievers around him when he cries out for mercy.

Despite the fact that I know that God is with me, I don't just bring out a laundry list for God to get to work. Neither David came to God with an attitude of demand. He would lift up his hands and worship as he approached God with his plea. I can't forget that God is worthy of worship and adoration. I must give him the glory and honor he deserves under all circumstances of life. In fact, David's description of unbelievers is that "they do not regard the works of the Lord or the works of his hands." As a believer, I am called to remember that I am approaching the Creator of all things including my own life.

I can't understand how the unbeliever lives life without God. It seems to me that the difficulties and disappointments of life are enough for me to need someone who can stand with me. It is good to have friends, but friends are not always with you. God is always with me. His presence is available 24/7 without interruption. He does not slumber or sleep and has no need of anything.

The strength I need to get through life comes from my God. I suppose one can muster strength from other sources to get through life, but this is precisely what idolatry is all about. God does not desire that I seek other sources. He wants to be the one and only source because he is my Creator. "The Lord is the strength of his people." In times of need, I can take refuge in him. "In him my heart trusts." For this reason, I can live my life in thanksgiving to him.

Father, you are my strength and shield. You are my refuge and shepherd of my soul. To you I run every day all the day long to seek help. Thanks for your presence and for listening my cry. Amen.

Psalm 18 The Lord is for Us!

As I read this long song of celebration for victory over enemies, I could not help myself from looking for God's qualities that inspired David to write it. David, after a long time of persecution and unjust treatment by many, finally enjoys justice. His enemies have been taken care of in one way or another and David celebrates his victory with all his heart.

What is God for me in the midst of my battle? For David it was literal enemies, but for me, I know that I don't battle against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness. In my battle of faith, how does the Lord show himself on my behalf? David calls the Lord "my strength." In the midst of battle when my strength seems to fail, God sustains me - he is my strength. It is important to note how personal David gets with God and this is how I should pursue him - as MY GOD! Sometimes I want to battle on my own strength and forget about the endless supply of strength I have in my God. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."(Phil.4:13)

God is "my rock." Rock is a solid foundation that cannot be moved as opposed to sand that shifts very easily. God is the foundation of my life and nothing can move me from my stand to serve my God. Obedience to his commands places me on a solid foundation that no enemy of mine can move.

God is "my fortress." A fortress is a place of refuge from danger and distress. God serves as my refuge. In the battle of faith, God's presence is the place where I desire to be. In his presence there is cover from the dangers of the battle. An oasis for the soul to recover and replenish.

God is "my deliverer." When the enemy has an upper hand upon my life, the Lord comes through and delivers me from his hand. The implication here is to save or to rescue. It means my life is in danger and needs the intervention of someone to get me out because I can't do it on my own.

God is "my shield." In the heat of battle when the enemy is pursuing with arrow shots, the shield serves as protection against those shots. The shield functions by standing between the shot and the body and preventing any harm to the body. My God stands in the way of the shots of my enemy and prevents any harm to my soul.

God is "my salvation." Salvation also implies rescue. When my life is in danger, God is my salvation. But I can't forget that the salvation implied here is not just of my physical life. Actually, I may not be saved in this life from becoming a martyr, but it is the salvation of my soul. God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that all who believe in him shall be saved. I have eternal life through the salvation God has brought forth for me.

God is "my stronghold." A stronghold is a strategic place that has been fortified for battle. God is not only my refuge when I need to get away from battle for a breather, but he is in the midst of battle with me as I wage battle day by day against my foes.

Father, may I constantly seek you and rely on you in the midst of battle. When I feel faint, may I be reminded that you are there for me as my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my salvation, and my stronghold. In you I find refuge! Amen.

Psalm 5 Lead Me In Your Righteousness

The Greeks thought that righteousness was a virtue. The Jews thought righteousness was achieved by works. But righteousness is a relational term. We are not born with it and we cannot work for it. David prays to God: "Lead me in your righteousness." True righteousness is born out of faith in God, particularly in his ability to judge and to save. Righteousness is present in the life of the believer who lives in faith that God’s justice/judgment/salvation will usher in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Righteousness is not passive; it is to be pursued because ultimately, righteousness is found in God and we should pray that he leads us in his righteousness not our own or any other's.

As we live our lives in this world, we can trust that God, in his righteousness, will always love what is right and always hate what is evil. There is no chance for anyone who sets his life towards wickedness. God in his righteousness, justice, and love will not allow this to happen. But we must set our hearts towards God and submit to him as our God and King. Like David, we must seek him in prayer every day.

Many are alarmed by David's prayers against unbelievers. Yet, we must remember that the people David speaks of are people who have set their unrepentant hearts against God and gloat in their wicked ways. David's prayers serve as a reminder to the faithful that the wicked will be judged and not get away with their sinful lifestyles. It is also a reminder to the wicked themselves that what awaits them is a final judgment where God will call them to accountability and condemn them if their is no repentance.

But the one who makes God his refuge will rejoice with songs of joy. God promises favor and protection to those who seek him. One must not think that the protection that God offers is to spare us from difficulties in life. No! Many more times than not, the protection of God is for our souls that we may not faint in our faith in the midst of our trials and tribulations in life. Through the ordeals of life, God promises to be a shield for our souls that we may continue to walk with him through it all; that his righteousness may continue to lead our lives.

Father, lead me in your righteousness. Enable me to seek you day by day to walk with you on the path you have chosen for me. Shield my heart from wickedness that I may serve you with joy. Amen.