August 6, 2018 - - Psalm 28:6-7 Christ our Strength and Shield

Blessed be the LORD!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

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 28:6-7 ESV

In verse 2 of this Psalm the author cries out: "Hear the voice of my plea for mercy". As I read this I have the image of a soldier weary, struck down in a raging hand-to-hand skirmish about to receive the final blow who then reaches up his hand in an appeal for protection in the fierce battle. The opponent has no mercy.

Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, rushes to the aid of the wounded man. Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, stands over the soldier who is wounded and shields him in the fight, shouting encouragement to him. Christ, the Captain of our Salvation drives back the enemy. The Spirit of God is that encouragement, going right to the deepest recesses of the soldier's heart, driving out his fears and drowning out the wicked, defeating words of Satan.

No matter how often we are cornered, struggling or wounded, there are these promising words from Proverbs 24:16a: "though the righteous fall seven times, they will rise." The glory of the Father which clothed Jesus in resurrection power, is given to believers who cry out to Jesus. No wonder then that our hearts trust in Him and we helped! No wonder then that our victory song hymns Jesus as the glorious one.

To You, alone, O LORD, we call.

You are the strength and shield of Your people.

Thanks and praise belong to You, forever and ever.

In Jesus' Name we are helped,

in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.