“The lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3

You can’t trust those feelings. Don’t give that voice a second thought—the one that says, “It’s too hard, just give up.” I’ll be honest, it’s been the anthem of my life. But by God’s goodness and loving kindness we surely overcome. The Lord Jesus Christ has been, will always be, the One who lifts up our head.

When king David wrote this Psalm he was running from his son. Absalom murdered his half-brother for raping his sister, and to save his son from execution, David had Absalom banned from the kingdom. It’s not a pretty story but unfortunately it still speaks in our day. I wouldn’t wish this sort of heartbreak on any family, but today—thousands of years later—I’m glad God wrote it down so we wouldn’t have to feel so unbearably alone.

You parents…you know. The agony of living through your grown children’s broken circumstances. How we wish we could go back and do it over, make it all better. Turn the hand of time when they were young, hold and rock, sing and tuck. We could  say, Everything’s gonna be okay. All it took was a kiss and Band-Aid.

Thank you Jesus for bringing Psalm 4. It’s what the Spirit gave before the bottom began to cave. Before the serpent started coining me: The World’s Worst Mother. 

“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” “You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” (Ps 4:4,7)

I haven’t known a more irrational moment than when a kid or grandkids’ life hung in the balance.

When your soul is getting kicked around on unholy ground, you have the Lifter of your head. Listen to the voice of love! You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. The same words from Christs’ mouth that hushed crashing waves, quieted whipping winds—still calms us down today.

Don’t give in, don’t give up. Let’s not give the voice of deceit another chance to blow things apart. Let’s take a deep breath. Let God lift your head.

This is not some psychological practice I’m suggesting. This is spirit-born transformation. The way we once dealt with heartbreak…died, was crucified. Where we once flew off the handle, we now, by Holy Spirit power, bow in humility. Though we once shouted for vengeance, it’s possible to sob for the prisoner. For we are more than conquerors. 

The voices are gonna come. But the truth of God, one by one, will cut them off and lift us up.