"But You, O Lord, are a shield about me; my glory and the One who lifts my head." Psalm 3:3
When David penned this Psalm he had a son, Absalom, who humiliated and shamed him before all Israel. He conspired to overthrow David as king and claim the throne for himself. You may read about it in 2 Samuel 15. Needless to say most of us have experienced some form of humiliation and shame that has caused our countenance to fall from the pain of being exploited, betrayed, and made to feel less than others.
Whether this comes from a child we loved and cared for, or a spouse, or someone we trusted as a friend, it is painful. Jesus experienced shame and humiliation as no other. Read Isaiah 53. His suffering was on our behalf and totally unjustified, because we know Jesus was perfect and never sinned. But when we pray and pour our heart out before God as David did, we know He understands every bit of our agony. We also know He, and He alone, is the glory and lifter of our heads. His love on the cross defeats any evil that can befall us. His blood and perfect love can cleanse and heal broken hearts riddled with the shame of rejection. Psalm 147:3 states:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Has someone caused your countenance to fall to the point you cannot lift your head? Allow the loving hands of your Heavenly Father to lift your head that you may look into His loving eyes through prayer and scripture. Allow God Himself to define your value through the reminder of the cross. That is where we all find our value. I find great comfort with words penned by a man simply known as Brother Lawrence in the 1600’s:
"I am little known by the world, but greatly caressed by God."
There is only one who died for you and me and loves us perfectly. Only He can define our value when we value His opinion of us above all others. Be wise, dear one, in whose opinion you seek, and whose approval you strive for.
In His love
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
The month of June ushers in a world full of daisies and fireflies in the mountains! Daisies have been one of my favorite flowers since childhood!
(Photos taken on a bike ride this week.)