GOD WILL LIFT UP YOUR HEAD

But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me, my glory, and the LIFTER UP of mine head – Psalm 3:3

David did not pen Psalm 3 while reclining on a golden throne with servants at his beck and call, or lying on satin sheets and soft pillows. He wrote it while fleeing the threatening armies of his son, Absalom, whose treachery, rebellion, and spiteful betrayal must have broken his heart. He penned these words in the midst of his most distressing and desperate hour: "O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Psa. 3:1-3). Despite the crushing blow at the hands of his son, David’s faith in God never wavered to the extent of throwing him into utter despair.

What a strange scene: David was driven from his throne, and subjected to extreme humiliation, not by a pagan adversary but by his own son! What form of discouragement could be worse than this? Yet, the LORD was his Encouragers, the Lifter of his head’! Following a shameful period of absence from his throne, the armies of David eventually prevailed. Absalom was killed, contrary to his father's express wish, serving only to intensify David’s pain (2 Sam. 15). One lesson to be learnt is this: in the midst of such affliction, accusation, and abandonment, David was able to cry to the covenant-keeping God. Only by turning his gaze back to God, could the paralyzing power of the enemy be broken.

Like David, you can encourage yourself by recalling three truths about God. First, God is a Shield about you (Psa. 28:7; 84:11; 115:9-11). Therefore, the enemies’ arrows and attacks are fruitless in cutting you off from the security of God's love. Second, God is your Glory; you have no glory of your own, no trust in your fame or fortune. Having been driven away in shame, humiliation, and a slandered reputation, God alone was the joy and glory of David’s life. Third, God is the One who LIFTS your head. David left Jerusalem defeated, dejected, despondent, and depressed. He hung his head in shame (2 Sam. 15:30). Deep down however, he was confident that God will elevate his face and restore his hope. So can you!

The phrase “lifter of my head” bears a word picture:  The head is naturally bowed down in time of trouble.  For God to be “the lifter of your head” means that He will bring you out of the time of trouble, so that your head is no longer bowed in misery and pain! Is your past characterized by stinging defeat, excruciating failure, or open humiliation that steeps you in discouragement? God will lift up your head. He’ll encourage you. He’ll give you reason to hold your head high, so you can say like David: "…He shall SET ME HIGH upon a rock. And now my head shall be LIFTED UP above my enemies all around me…" (Psalm 27:5-6). No matter what transpires, you can be sure of this: God is a shield about you. He is your glory. He is the One who will lift your head! Alleluia!