Confidence in Troubled Times

Scripture:  Psalms 3:3 -  But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

This scripture is so encouraging to me.  I can’t imagine how much distress David was experiencing when he wrote Psalms 3.  He had fled from his wicked son, Absalom, who wanted to kill him and take over his kingdom.  At first David was very troubled.  Psalms 3:1-2 says “Lord, how many my foes increase.  There are many who are against me.  Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God.”  In spite of how he was feeling, David strongly confessed of his safety, peace, and hope in the Lord in Psalms 3:3 – “But  thou O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”  

The Lord is a shield for us.  A shield in this scripture means a buckler round about us, protection above, beneath, within and without us. As the Lord protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy, the Lord speaks peace to us.  

My glory in Psalms 3:3 means that the Lord is the source of my favor, honor, greatness/power.  We are to boast of God’s power/greatness --  not of our own strength/wisdom and honor.  Our confidence is to be in Him not ourselves.  

He is the lifter up of our head.  He not only lifts up our head when we invited Jesus Christ into our lives and we’re trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross, but also He lifts up our head – giving us confidence, peace, joy, comfort, to rest in Him while we are facing overwhelming trials in our lives.  As I have heard people say, God will allow us to hit rock bottom so that we will discover that He is the rock at the bottom.  In the midst of our battles, God is there to lift our head.  Nothing is too hard for the Lord!  Psalms 18:1-2 says “I love you Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I called to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies.”  Only God can be our shield, your glory, and the lifter up of our head.  

Sometimes we rely on things going our way, people approval, success in what we do, our hopes/dreams, to give us security or for the lifting up of our head.  We have to repent of this because we make things our idols, and we take glory away from God – the only one who can ultimately provide us with security, joy and peace.  

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for being a shield, glory, and the lifter up of our head!  Help us to totally rely on You.  You are so awesome/amazing!  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)