Go! And Trust In The Lord, Your Rock And Shepherd - Psalm 28 Series

Go! And Trust in the Lord, Your Rock and Shepherd - Psalm 28

Introduction:

Today we gather to immerse ourselves in the profound truths of Psalm 28, a heartfelt cry of King David that resonates deeply with our own experiences. In this psalm, we witness a journey from desperation to deliverance, from pleading to praise. Through David's words, we are reminded of the unwavering strength and protection found in our Lord, who is both our Rock and our Shepherd.

Let us read together Psalm 28 from the New Living Translation:

"I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.

Do not turn a deaf ear to me.

For if you are silent,

I might as well give up and die.

Listen to my prayer for mercy

as I cry out to you for help,

as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

Do not drag me away with the wicked—

with those who do evil—

those who speak friendly words to their neighbors

while planning evil in their hearts.

Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!

Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.

Pay them back for all their evil deeds!

Give them a taste of what they have done to others.

They care nothing for what the Lord has done

or for what his hands have made.

So he will tear them down,

and they will never be rebuilt!

Praise the Lord!

For he has heard my cry for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

The Lord gives his people strength.

He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

Save your people!

Bless Israel, your special possession.

Lead them like a shepherd,

and carry them in your arms forever."

— Psalm 28:1-9 (NLT)

As we delve into this psalm, we will explore three pivotal truths:

The Lord is Our Rock

The Lord is Our Strength and Shield

The Lord is Our Shepherd

May the Holy Spirit open our hearts to receive and apply these truths in our lives.

1. The Lord is Our Rock

David begins his plea with a powerful declaration: "I pray to you, O Lord, my rock." The term "rock" here is translated from the Hebrew word "tsur" (????), signifying a solid, unshakable foundation. In ancient times, a rock provided shelter, security, and stability—qualities that David attributes to God.

Psalm 18:2 (NLT): "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."

Here, David emphasizes that God is not only a rock but also a fortress and savior. Just as a fortress offers protection against enemies, God provides a refuge for His people. When life's trials assail us, we can stand firm on the unchanging nature of our God.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT): "He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!"

Moses describes God as the Rock, highlighting His perfection, justice, and faithfulness. In a world of shifting sands, our Lord remains steadfast and trustworthy.

Imagine a sailor navigating a stormy sea. Amidst the raging waves, he spots a massive rock formation jutting out of the water—a place of refuge and safety. Similarly, in the tempests of life, God is our immovable Rock, offering us shelter and stability.

Pastor Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Lord’s people delight in the thought that their God is a Rock; they delight to have a rock under their feet, and a rock over their heads."

Ah, what a beautiful and powerful statement from the Prince of Preachers—Charles Spurgeon truly captured the heart of the believer’s confidence in God when he said:

"The Lord’s people delight in the thought that their God is a Rock; they delight to have a rock under their feet, and a rock over their heads."

This is not just poetic—it is profoundly theological and deeply practical.

As believers, we are not standing on shifting sand. We are standing on the immovable foundation of our God, who is the Rock eternal. That Rock under our feet speaks of stability, assurance, and confidence. When the storms of life rage around us, when the winds of doubt or discouragement blow hard, we stand firm—because our God does not move.

But Spurgeon adds something precious—a rock over our heads. Not just a foundation below, but a covering above. That speaks of protection. He is our refuge, our shelter in the time of storm. He is both beneath us to support and above us to shield.

How marvellous that in every direction—under, over, around—we are encompassed by the unshakable presence of God.