Psalm 28:7 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.

It is interesting to note in several of David’s Psalms that the Lord seems to answer his prayer, his complaint. In this Psalm that’s at verse 5, when he is given assurance of the just fate of his enemies. He acknowledges that with gratitude in verse 6, and then we have this beautiful testimony. Where the NIV says “trusts in him,” the Japanese renders it as “depends on him.” Sometimes we say, and even think, we are trusting in God but our actions say otherwise. We tend to want a “Plan B.” This isn’t to say we aren’t to make full use of the resources God puts at our disposal, but it is a cautionary note that we not look at those resources and forget who provided them to us. It is when we depend first on God that we indeed receive the help that we need.

Parts of this Psalm feel very close to home at the moment. Yesterday my wife and I both tested positive for COVID, and as various friends have testified, it’s not much fun. I feel like mine has peaked already (I certainly hope so) but Cathy’s is progressing more slowly. Physically, we’re pretty miserable. However, the Lord provided us with a close friend to drive us to the doctor, wait with us, and then bring us home, and I feel like the medications we were given are making a difference. At the moment Cathy can, and does, praise God on the piano, but if I were to try to sing it would be just a croak – and I’m not talking about the deep bass tricks I used to do while studying Voice in college. However I feel physically, I am assured that God is my strength and my shield, my “fortress of salvation” as it says in the next verse. I am not to let this pull me down emotionally or spiritually, but rather praise God for this further lesson in His faithfulness, His all-sufficient grace. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Father, thank You for this assurance, and for Your supply in so many areas. Thank You that our quarantine is only to Friday. This is rearranging various things on our schedule, but You know what needs to happen when, and I trust You and thank You for that. May I not only cooperate with Your healing, but also use the time to do whatever You desire of me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!