The One Who Lifts My Head High!

“But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”
Psalm 3:3 (NIV) 

Problems at home are the most painful. It hurts when the ones we love and live with no longer want us. The break-up of a family can lead anyone to a breakdown. Even Godly men like King David experienced the pain of a fractured family. He poured out his soul to God in Psalm 3 when he was on the run from his own son, Absalom. Absalom had rebelled against his father, harboring deep-seated bitterness that had festered for years. Neither had dealt with the issues between them well, and it resulted in a coup d'état with Absalom seizing David’s throne!

David was on the run for his life. And, to make matters worse, the enemy was his own son! Maybe you understand exactly how David felt. He was so low at this time in his life, he couldn’t even lift his head. Have you ever felt that way? Discouragement like that can lead to a feeling of despair and worthlessness. In the first two verses of this Psalm, David cried out, “O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, ‘God will never rescue him!’” Absalom’s rebellion attracted all of David’s critics.

Ever notice how rebellious people are attracted to one another? They allied themselves with Absalom to defeat David rather than working to reconcile a father and son. It appeared, on the surface, that there was little hope for David. If you’ve ever felt so low that you couldn’t lift your head, I want to encourage you with what David did. While so many were saying, “God will never rescue him,” David made a faith proclamation over his own discouraged soul. In Psalm 3:3 (NIV), He declared, “But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” What a compassionate God! Picture God lovingly surrounding David and, like a caring father, lifting the head of a brokenhearted child. God lifted David’s head to say, “I am here with you! I am here for you! I have not forsaken you! Your life matters to me! Your son may have disgraced you, but I have not!”

Warren Wiersbe comments on this passage, saying, “David was in disgrace because of his own sins and his son's treachery, but God was the source of David's glory. Absalom turned his father's glory into shame, but one day that glory would be restored. The situation was discouraging, but the king knew that God would lift up his head and restore him to his throne. His faith was in the promises of God, and he knew God would not forsake him.” When you are so down you can’t lift your own head, turn to the One who loves you unconditionally. He will never forsake you. He is your shield, your real glory, and the One who lifts your head high!  

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 Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.