Psalm 28 - 2.28.25

Scripture: Psalms 28:6-7

6  Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. 7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Observation

This is a Psalm of David. He is very distressed in the beginning of the chapter and he is crying out to God to hear his supplications. Supplication is a specific kind of prayer; it’s a cry for mercy. When David gets to verse 6, he starts to praise the Lord and thank him for hearing his cry for help and he has faith that God is with him and will help him.

Application

Many years ago, when I was married to my first husband, he was very abusive verbally and mentally. He kept having affairs with other women and blaming me for his actions. When I would confront him or make him go to marriage counseling, he would try to make me out as being crazy or what they now call “gaslighting”. I spiraled into a deep, dark hole and felt so afraid and alone. My life was crumbling all around me and there was nothing I could do about it. I would lay face down on the floor and cry out to God to help me. I was so desperate for His help and I would voice my supplications with tears streaming down my face. I started seeing a Christian Counselor and she would speak the truth to me and always bring me back to Jesus. She told me to keep my eyes on Jesus and not look at my circumstances. That God loved me and He was my strength and my shield. She helped me climb out of my dark hole and start to live again.

When life is unbearable and you can’t see a way out, Jesus is there to take your hand and walk with you or even carry you…if necessary. Write down all the times God has helped you through a hard time. Read it every day and KNOW that he is working in the background for your good. You have to keep your eyes on Jesus and not look at the circumstances. I use to quote the scripture Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”. I would picture myself soaring above all my problems and then I would start thanking and praising the Lord for how He was going to work everything out for my good. By the time I showed up at work the Joy of the Lord was bubbling out of me. I will forever Praise the Lord with all my heart and soul because His mercies are new every morning!

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank You for loving us so much and hearing the cries of our heart. Thank You for being our strength and shield when life becomes overwhelming. Lord teach us to Trust You in all things and keep our eyes fixed on You. Help us to surrender our lives to you so that you can mold and make us into your precious vessels. The Joy of the Lord is my Strength and I will worship the Lord all the days of my life.

- Michelle Craig