shield – Judy in the Sky

Read Psalm 28 – Beloved, may you be overflowing with reverence and awe of God! Some like to say that Jesus is their BFF, but I caution you – that is not enough. Yes, He is a friend to sinners; yes, He is kind and merciful; yes, you can trust Him with all of your worries. BUT don’t mistake that for equality. Stand in awe of the one who knit you together in your mothers womb, and knows every hair on your head, and saves your tears. Be reverent to the LORD, whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Marvel at His glory. Delight in the LORD on a grand scale.

When David speaks about those who do not belong to God (:1-5), he concludes with, “Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.” :5

Yesterday, one of my friends posted a video of lightning, taken from the vantage point of 40,000’ during her cross country flight. It was marvelous, like a visual symphony as the cloud lit up with explosions of colors. It was taken during the day, so all sorts of clouds were in the vicinity, but only this one held the lightning. I could not help but be drawn closer to Jesus by the power and artistry. The works of the LORD are wonderful.

“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.” :8

This world can get rather heavy, so look up in awe! And may you find yourself singing a song of thanks as your heart leaps for joy today!

Read Psalm 7 – What kind of bible do you read? There are many different translations available. I first fell in love with Jesus with a New International Study Bible(NIV). It contained lots of explanations to help me along. I now use the English Standard Version (ESV) most of the time, but sometimes I will try a passage in several different versions to really get to the heart of things. The internet has made this very easy, so if you ever get stuck or simply want a richer understanding, try a few different versions.

David is surrounded by those who wish to harm him. In his anguish, he considers if this is perhaps the result of something he did. (:3-5) It is always wise in times of calamity to search one’s heart to ensure it is clean.

With that assurance, he moves to petition, “Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.” :6 David relies on who God is, “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.” :10 He goes on from there to state a few wonderful attributes of the LORD.

Remember yesterday, when I said I wanted a hero? The LORD is the hero. If we look to humans we will discover that Romans 3:23 is right every time, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” There is one who never fails and never forsakes and that is Jesus Christ our LORD. May verse :17 be a light for you, whether in a storm or not – “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”