But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.
Psalm 3:3
One morning over breakfast, I shared with a friend a difficult situation I was struggling with. She said the verse she had read in the Bible that morning might help me. “But You, Lord,, are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.” To be honest, I didn’t find it very helpful right then, but I thanked her for listening and sharing with me.
When I got into the car to drive home, I turned on my Christian radio station. The words of the song that immediately came on said: “Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me. You’re my glory and the lifter of my head.” I realized it was not mere coincidence that I would hear those same words twice within a half-hour period. So, I turned off the radio and prayed, “Lord, this must be a message you want very much for me to hear. But I really don’t understand what it means. Please show me.”
A mental picture came right away of a hand reaching down and gently touching my chin, lifting my head upwards. A question came to mind: Where are your eyes directed when your head is lifted upwards? They no longer look at the surrounding circumstances, but instead directed toward God. I was reminded of Peter when he jumped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. As long as Peter looked at Jesus, he could walk on the water — he could do the impossible. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves surrounding him, he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30).
Life is like that for us, too. If we let our eyes focus on the difficult circumstances around us, we can easily become overwhelmed and begin to sink. Are you feeling desperate or hopeless about something in your life right now? Maybe you identify with Peter and feel like you are beginning to sink. Remember the picture of Jesus, the lifter of your head, reaching down to lift your face toward Him. A familiar hymn shares the same message: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Are circumstances in your life right now causing you to feel like you are sinking in the waves surrounding you? What are these circumstances?
Read Philippians 4:6-7. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. God has told us, “Be anxious for nothing” — nothing! There is no situation that you are facing that is too difficult for God.
Focus your thoughts on God and choose to trust Him with your seemingly impossible circumstances. When the anxious thoughts return, and they certainly will, stop what you are doing and consciously ask God to “lift” your head” so your eyes can see Him.
Another good one Sherrilyn. Thank you.
Thank you for these lovely thoughts today, great verse to remember to go through this week and this difficult time with our nation, epidemic, life in general.
Again you are right on. God always watches over his word to perform it in our lives. Thank you
I like your reminder to not ignore when God is trying to speak to you but to stop and pray and ask him what it is he’s trying to say. Good analogy to with Peter in the boat taking his eyes off Jesus.
Thanks Sherrilyn, its been a busy day with deadlines and errands, sorting, and arranging. I’m exhausted and feeling a little overwhelmed. This was just the reminder I needed to allow God to lift my head and turn my eyes to him for strength to persevere.
Ahhh, beautiful reminder, dear Sherrilyn. Thank you!! Sometimes my head feels like a yo-yo–up and down, up and down. Maybe I need a neck brace to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and Him alone. Yet, I thank the Holy Spirit for this reminder once again and the power of Christ to keep drawing me back to refocus on Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 is something that I memorized as a child. I even memorized it in a song. Thank you for reminding of me those words because there are so many hard things in our world right now that i do take my eyes off of Jesus and start worrying. Thanks for the reminder to lift my eyes to him and bring everything to him and he will give me peace.