Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Listen to the Word

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.  (Psalm 28:7)

Notice how personal the praise is in today’s Scripture. The psalmist gives thanks for the things God does for him individually. Not only is the Lord strong - he is MY strength. Not only is the Lord protective - he is MY shield. All in all, the psalmist uses six first-person pronouns in this single verse. 

One of the biggest reasons you have to be thankful this week is that you have a God who cares for you personally and individually. You are more than a number to God, more than a tiny piece of some big thing called humanity. You are his child. He wants to strengthen you personally, and protect you personally, and help you personally. And he wants you personally to trust him, leap for joy in him, and give thanks to him.

Live the Word

Picture for a moment what it would be like if God did not help you - if you always had to rely on your own ability and you always had to protect yourself. Then thank God for being your strength and shield.