Thursday, November 8, 2007
Psalm 3:3-4 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.
THOSE WHO WERE LIFTED UP
To be bowed down is a sign of trouble, distress, worry, guilt, sadness, pain, humility, and fear -- almost anything negative. To lift up your head is sign of joy and hope -- eagerly looking forward to that which is to come. One who lifts up the head is one that is eager for the day to come. When I run a long race, I am often hanging my head a bit by the last leg, tired and worn out. I often find my eyes fixed on the ground as I just try to make it the last little bit. Yet as soon as I see the finish, I seldom take my eyes off it. Seeing the end it is not difficult to pick up my pace a bit in my eagerness to reach it.
David describes here how he was weary and tired, almost ready to give up. He had no reason to lift up his head. Then the Lord gently placed His hand under his chin, lifting up his head to see into the eyes of the Savior. How often hasn't the Lord done the same for us just when we needed it the most?
He lifts up our heads, perhaps through another saint who is journeying with us, or through the remembrance of those who have gone before, or through the words of strength they left behind as they climbed through the same small dark tunnels. But above all, through His word He lifts up our heads to see His eyes of clearest love.
One the light of God's own presence,
O'er His ransomed people shed,
Chasing far the gloom and terror,
Brightening all the path we tread;
One the object of our journey,
One the faith which never tires.
One the earnest looking forward,
One the hope our God inspires.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 481:2)
