ADONAI [the LORD] is my strength and my shield.
My heart trusts in Him, and I was helped.
Therefore my heart leaps for joy,
and I will praise Him with my song. Psalm 28:7, TLV

My Heart Leaps for Joy!  We’ve all had those moments. You know, the ones where we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, had the LORD not been our strength and shield we would not have survived, or had the breakthrough, or experienced the miracle. Remember that feeling? The joy! Did we praise Him? Sing His praises to others? Shout in gratitude?

David wrote this psalm. The context has a much different tone than today’s verse.

Do not drag me away with the wicked and with doers of iniquity,
who speak peace with their neighbors,
while evil is in their hearts. (vs. 3, TLV)

The context has a heavier theme of frustration and fear. Those who have set their marks on him, who have betrayed him, and worse yet, betrayed ADONAI, are all around David.

Since they show no regard for the deeds of ADONAI
nor the work of His hands,
He will tear them down
    and never build them up. (vs. 5, TLV)

Knowing the context of this verse, amplifies our need to be watchful for those who seek to “drag us away” from the peace we know through our Heavenly Father. It’s interesting that David uses warrior terminology for spiritual warfare, a technique Paul used in Ephesians 6:10-19.

Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16, TLV)

Next month we will prepare for Thanksgiving. In between the bedlam, delicious food, family dynamics and before the tryptophan sets in, let’s be grateful that our Father is our strength and shield and pray for those who — at this time — show no regard for the LORD’s deeds. In the midst of all that, let us remember the joy of our salvation and His intervention on our behalf. We can celebrate that in all circumstances. It’s the best meal of all!