PART 1 OF 3
Psalm 3:3 But You, Oh Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
The night before had been hard. The kind of hard that leaves you wondering how you are supposed to make it through the day, let alone complete the simplest of tasks. But life didn’t stop for me, and the next day dawned—as it always does—with responsibilities and expectations.
As I walked into work the next morning, my steps were slow. I passed a coworker, and we exchanged the usual greetings, but she paused. “Are you all right?” she asked. I hadn’t realized that my very posture was reflecting the brokenness I felt inside.
You may have walked your own reluctant steps through a season that felt impossibly hard. Or perhaps you are walking those steps even now.
Does pain sit heavy on your shoulders making them slump? Does sorrow drag at your steps and cast down your gaze?
May I offer you some hope?
Psalm 3:3 says:
But you, oh Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
When God brought that verse into the midst of my heartache, I clung to it and committed it to memory. It took some time for God to reveal to me all that He had tucked into those words, so today I will simply share the very first piece that spoke to me: that God was the lifter of my head.
The tenderness in those words makes me want to weep. I imagine my God tenderly lifting my head to tell me, like a child, that it is going to be ok. God’s heart is for His children, and He longs to comfort us.
But I believe there is a deeper message. You see, when our gaze is downcast, all we can see are the problems we are facing. Our limited human sight can only see the things of this world in this moment we are in. Only God can see the bigger picture and know the fullness of our story.
So when God lifts my head, a beautiful thing happens—my gaze meets His. Then, instead of being overwhelmed by human sight, I am drawn into His eyes. He reminds me of His eternal perspective. I become reoriented and able to trust that while I cannot see how this will all work for my good, He can.
When I am so burdened I can barely lift my head, the very God of the universe lifts it for me, and in so doing helps me to carry out the encouragement found in Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Are you in the midst of a difficult season? Are you so tired and worn it feels as if you can barely lift your head?
Friend, if you are weighted down and weary today, cry out to the Father. Allow him to lift your head, and fix your gaze on Him.
Until next time,
Shelby
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37
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