Psalm 3:3-4, “But you are my shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.”
When I was a boy, often things did not work out the way I thought they should. During those times of disappointment, my grandmother would say, “Hold your head up” or, “Keep your chin up.” In verse 3 of Psalm 3, David isn’t saying this; he is actually saying the opposite. In order for God to deliver us, we have to be willing to bow our head in humility and surrender so that He can lift it up.
Have you ever been in a situation where you just couldn’t turn it over to God? Maybe you did a little, but you held on to a piece of it? David is telling us in Psalm 3 that God is our shield – a shield all around us, front, side, and back. He will give us victory, and He will lift up our head; but in order for Him to do so, we must humble ourselves before Him, seek His help, and surrender to His will.
People in denial are some of the most interesting people I know. The outside world looks at them and utters, “How can they not see it? It’s so obvious!” Yet, they see only what they want to see. “My ex-husband, it is all his fault! I did nothing wrong.” “Well, if I had just had a better childhood…” “If we just had stiffer gun control laws…” “It wouldn’t be right for me to speak about God in the work place…” “I can’t do what’s right, I want my friends to accept me…” Sound familiar?
God won’t step in until you move over, bow in surrender, and give Him access.
Have you ever met someone who is just determine to get even with those who wronged him or her? Bitterness and anger become front and center in their lives. The sad part is they can’t see it. God won’t deliver justice when we are walking around like peacocks validating ourselves, justifying our every move, and playing as if we were Him. David knows, until he cries out for help, until he acknowledges God’s ability, until he bows his head before Him, God will remain silent. But when, “I cry aloud…He answers.”
Some of us need to bow down before God in humility, recognizing our need for His help. Some of us need to turn the reins over to God and get ourselves straightened out. Understand this, there is no power capable of plucking you from the hand of God when you entrust yourself to His care.
