My Heart Trusts Him
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” -Psalm 28:7
When I was the young age of twenty, I had my heart broken by a man I loved. We’d been best friends for years and I yearned for more. I made my feelings for him known, trusting him with my heart, only to learn he wasn’t on the same page as me. Our friendship never recovered. The future we shared in my head had been so real, so close I could touch it. I’d never felt so shattered. I couldn’t imagine my life without this man, and that’s precisely when I knew God had unearthed an idol.
Over the next year, I remained purposely single. I determined to fix my eyes back on Jesus and to pursue Him with the same intensity I’d pursued my own romantic desires. In that year He shielded me from further heartache. He scooped up my fragile heart and gently pieced it back together. The Lord strengthened and helped me. I learned that only God can do for me what I expected a man to do; He fulfilled me and gave me confidence and value I never knew possible outside of a romantic relationship.
I went on “dates” with Jesus, toting my Bible into a restaurant or onto a picnic blanket in the park. I spent countless hours in communion with Him, seeking His heart and allowing Him to seek mine. He showed me I was worthy, seen, and desired. Over time my heart began to heal and I joyfully looked forward to my dates with Jesus. After a full year of surrendering to God’s will for my future relationships, I met my husband, and my heart lept for joy. God had proven trustworthy. He exchanged my broken heart for something infinitely better.
The Lord is our strength when we are broken and weak. He is our shield when our heart needs protection. He is trustworthy and rescues us when we are lost and alone. In Jesus, we can find our joy again.
Study & Reflection: Read Psalm 28 in its entirety. As you read, make a list of the words David uses to describe God. What commonalities do you notice? When you experience loss, and loneliness or are brokenhearted, where can you find reassurance and comfort in this Psalm? In what ways do you need the Lord’s strength, protection, or help today?
Prayer: Lord God, when we are feeling lost, broken, and deeply hurt, remind us of Your love for us. Help us to lean on Your strength to uphold us and shield us from further harm. We praise You for helping us when we are too weak to stand. Fill our hearts with joy and give us a new song on our lips. Amen.