“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…I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.”
Psalms 3:3-6
My husband wrote a duet we used to sing, “Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me, You’re the glory and the lifter of my head!” That was long before we faced machine guns in Uganda, long before Ron was beaten in a riot, and long before the disappointments of life tore at our very souls. But no matter what, we cried out to the LORD, and HE answered—and we lay down and slept!
However, the most frightening army I ever faced was not physically visible. While sitting in my own dust and ashes, a war raged within me. Sixty years of imprisoning choices fought against the liberating choices God offered in His Word. Yet, as I vacillated between the “old” and the “new,” there was a Shield around me! And even when I collapsed, even when I felt no hope of change, HE held my head high.
When GOD lifts my head, my focus changes! Instead of looking down at my trembling heart and stumbling feet, I look up into HIS tender face and loving eyes. His Presence stills my fear, so I can lay down and rest, no matter whether the army is outside my door or inside my soul! Because…
The LORD is not only watching over my path (Ps. 1:6)
—In loving care, He is watching over ME! (Ps. 3:5)
