God, The Lifter Of Our Head
What does God being the “lifter of our head” mean?
The rising and the falling of our heads often follow the internal state of our being. Are we elated and overjoyed? The head will be held high. Are we dejected and defeated? The head will droop low. What kind of God do we have in relation to the events in our lives that cause our heads to droop?
Consider with me Psalm 3:3
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
When David finds himself in a difficult stage of life his description about the kind of God he believes in is this. “God is a lifter of my head.” This signifies that David is in a situation that is causing his head to fall. Fall because of weariness. Fall because of attacks against his life. Fall because he is alone.
God comforts us
I imagine David sitting in a cave, head between his knees. “How will I make it through this? Everyone is against me. I’m fleeing for my life. I’m alone. This isn’t how I saw this all going…” he says to himself. God walks in, gets on one knee in front of him and gently lifts his head. “We will make it through this, my son.”
This is what it means for God to be a comforter, isn’t it? That God meets us in the darkness of the nights. Wherever you find yourself while reading this, I hope you are reminded that God sees where you are. He sees your head drooping. He is not sitting passively by. He is at work. He is putting things in motion for this text to be true, for Him to “lift your head”. He offers you, through prayer, a listening ear, and a caring heart.
God’s Response
Is your head drooping with the weight of guilt over present sin?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping with the crushing responsibility of taking care of a loved one?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping under the regret of past mistakes?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping over a lost love?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping because of extreme loneliness?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping because of abuse?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping under the pressure of being a pastor?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping because obedience is hard?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
Is your head drooping because doubts have consumed your mind?
But you, Yahweh, are the lifter of my head.
The text offers no contingency upon which god’s lifting of your head rests, except for you to call out. So call and believe God is working unseen things in your life to lift your head. To comfort you. He sees where you are and He is not passive in his love. All of this leads the psalmist to conclude:
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
Rest, friend. The Lord is in control.
Thankful for a compassionate God,
Josh.
