The Lifter of Our Head

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head – Psalms 3:3

It has been my experience that the Psalms are where God meets His creation in the grit of life. These have been an incredible source of comfort for me in the past days. I came across this verse on a day I particularly needed to find it. Much of the Psalms uses similar language describing God’s protection. The term “shield” here is one of many within the collection, but it is the next description that was extra poignant today.

“the lifter of my head”

The shield illustration tells of someone protecting us from what is coming – fiery darts we cannot see from our perspective. While this is appreciated, I think I would rather have the personal touch of the protector than His protection for it is this bond that makes the trials bearable.

Throughout my life, I have wrestled with guilt. Recently, unresolved feelings of frustration, uncertainty, and restlessness have made way for a heavier body. In these moments, our heads hang a little lower. Our view narrows while our breath rattles deeper within us, attempting to extinguish the searing ember that pursues our spirit. I am sure you have been there. Those times in life where the pieces of this life we are given don’t line up, don’t come together, and do not seem to fit.

Here in Psalm 3, we have a God who shares His relational care for us. That in the burden of our lives, He kneels down to meet us, wherever we may be found, and raises our eyes to meet His. This is love, sure, but it also tells of a great comforter. His heart is for ours in times like these. Even when we don’t feel worthy, or respected, or cared for, we meet a Father who shows a different love than we are use to – one that requires nothing of us and is only magnified by our weakness. It is incredible to think, that what we do, have done, and will do, have no bearing on this great facilitator of grace. He sees us as we are, not as we wish to be, all the while showing us matchless faithfulness and care.

Father, thank you. Raise my head to meet your gaze. May that be what I see when I carry myself into a world I am ill equipped to meet. Amen.