May 26, 2023 -- Psalm 28:6-9 -- The Psalm Series: the rest of the story

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Blessed be the LORD!
    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 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.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people;
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:6-9 ESV

To be honest, this is cherry-picking. That is, taking the best fruit and leaving the rest of the psalm unexplained and unexplored. Believers love a passage like this. It is a high-point of praise to God and a celebration of His blessings. However, if all you do is read this, you are missing why the psalmist has reached this summit. Go ahead, read it now. It is a short psalm, take a minute or two to turn in your Bible and read the whole of it.

Now you understand. David had faced the silence of the LORD. He called out. No answer. He asked for mercy. Nothing. He saw the works of wicked men and it seemed they were prospering. He himself, not so much.

Rather than getting into a pit of depression, David is remembering the past goodness of God. Think of all the times the LORD has heard your prayers. Go ahead, see if you can count them. You can’t! That much I already know. He has heard your plenteous pleas for mercy. Even now, when it seems prayers have not been answered as quickly as you’d like, know this, the LORD your God, He is your strength. That is why you are still praying. He is your shield. In Jesus Christ all the flaming darts of the evil one have fallen to the ground, and they are ineffective to cause our Father to disown you. Do not give up. Keep praying. He is carrying you through.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Great is Your glory and profound is Your persistent kindness. Thank You for Jesus Christ. Thank You, that in Jesus’ powerful Name we are assured that not one of our prayers have fallen on deaf ears. Spirit of God, like a rushing wind, blow into the temple of our hearts and minds with the knowledge of the goodness of God so that we can pray, waiting with assurance, that the Father in heaven is even now answering the prayers of His people. Not just the prayers of people ‘out there’, but even now, You are answering my prayer. O blessed be the LORD! You are the strength of Your people. Amen.

https://youtu.be/9sE5kEnitqE CeCe Winans “Goodness of God”

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