He’s the Lifter of Your Head

Posted on November 8, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.  I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.  I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.  (Psalm 3:3-5  NLT)

Do you remember being told when you were young to keep your head up and not to let your shoulders sag?  I am often reminded of that, and understand why it is so important as it reflects our countenance, and how we feel about ourselves and our surroundings.

I was walking my dog one day as I usually did, along the bottom of the lower lake at Keswick between my house and the dam.  I usually enjoy looking at the water on the lake and the colors on the trees, or whatever flower is blooming wild along the shore, maybe sensing a new fragrance in the air, discovering a new flower I hadn’t seen before, and taking the few moments to enjoy creation.  I even keep my eye out for the snake in a tree that my friend Sue Mahoney told me she saw there one day.  One day, I was particularly burdened about something and my eyes were on the ground, at my feet, and I wasn’t noticing anything, just going through the motions of putting one foot in front of the other.  Feeling very low, my shoulders were sagging.  I remembered a verse I had read in Psalms that morning. You are the one who holds my head high.  I felt dejected and run down, not able to hold up my head.  I realized I didn’t have to operate on my own power; my head raised and I looked around at a beautiful sunshine-filled day.  I felt God saying to me, “hold up your head, I love you.”  The view of my surroundings was much better when I looked up,  I didn’t just see dead pine needles dropped from the trees on sand in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, but rather, evidence of life.  I started to feel life creep back into me.

My perspective had changed. Peace reigned in me where turmoil had only moments before.

As you go through your day today, remember to keep looking up!  And if you have trouble doing it, ask the Lord; He specializes in lifting heads!

Keep Looking UP!

Joyce Hayes

This devotional was first published in Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2.

Written by Joyce Hayes Joyce Hayes is our Artist-in-Residence and Event Hostess. She is married to Robert Hayes, our Director of Programming, and has two sons, Jordan and Carter Hayes. She also has a beautiful daughter-in-law, Michelle Hayes, and a precious grandson, Noah Hayes.

The Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 25 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “The promises in your Word lift me up though sadness is all around me.” – Judy Harrell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. — Acts 2:26

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