THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD

 

 

FEBRUARY 23

The Lord is my strength and my shield.
Psalm 28:7
 

THE truth and value of God's word,
  is to be learned out of the school of experience.
 
It is easy to read the word,
  assist to it, and admired it;
   but when we are called to trust in it
   the word the hour of temptation and trial,
   will find it very difficult.
 
The grace which gives us the book must enable us to make use of it.
 
The Lord is to his people just what they require,
  and all that they require.
 
They are weak and feel as if they daily grow weaker;
  their foes are many and strong, and
  appeared to increase in numbers and courage;
   but the Lord is their strength.
 
His omnipotence is pledged to them,
  and will be exerted for them.
 
Faith lays hold on God's arm, and
  until that arm fails the believer who holds by it is safe.
 
The Lord is not only our strength but our shield.
 
We are in the field of battle,
  our enemies are numerous and mighty,
  and they hate us with bitter hatred.
 
But the Lord ever comes between us and danger, and
  thus we escape the fiery darts of the devil.
 
The Lord is our defence,
  who saved the upright in heart.
 
O that my faith could firmly hold
This heavenly shield with ardour bold,
I then could every foe repel,
Invincible to earth and hell;
Lord, be my strength as well as shield,
And help my soul to keep the field.
 
James Smith 1849