Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me; my glory, and the One who lifts my head.
When Jesus lifts the heads of the broken, they become new. His love, compassion, and grace have the power to change us and mold us into all that he has called us to be. Go with me for a moment…You have done something for which you feel so ashamed. This would be more than just a child getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Let’s describe your possible demeanor: Your smile has turned upside down, and discouragement or even fear might show on your face. You may have lowered your head to avoid the eyes of others. There are knots in your stomach. Your shoulders are stooped, and you feel so ashamed and unworthy. Your soul cries out for redemption, but then Jesus comes along and steps right into your sad scenario. He reaches out to you as you cower in guilt and shame, lifts your head and looks right into your tear-filled eyes, and says…
Question: So, at this point, and let’s be honest here, what is he thinking? What will he say to you? Here are a couple of possibilities, choose one. I have heard both.
Confess, you sinner, and repent, or
Arise my daughter, all is forgiven. Go and sin no more.
I ask you, which Jesus are we more apt to respond to, the demanding and condemning Jesus or the Jesus of mercy and grace? Which is the better motivator for real heart change, guilt or grace? Sadly, so many of us believe that Jesus is some sort of harsh judge, always watching and measuring our every move with the intent of hammering us with the just punishment that we deserve for our sins. Somehow, we seem to have forgotten that Jesus took the punishment for all of our sins. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) “He has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13-14)
“Although there are earthly consequences that will follow certain behaviors, God chooses not to punish; he chose to forgive all our sins. He poured out all his wrath on Jesus at the cross as payment for our sins, once and for all. (1 John 2:2) Jesus took the punishment that we deserved. Contrary to religious teaching, mercy and forgiveness are the most effective catalysts for real heart change. A person could obey out of fear, but it’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) It is this Grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live rightly. (Titus 2:11-14) Yes, God is in the mercy business, and his love for us has no bounds. (Ephesians 3:14-20) He is the perfect father, and his perfect love will drive out all fears. (1 John 4:18)” (Her Treasures page 58) It says in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” He is the Father who loves us so much that he runs to all us prodigals who have gone astray and welcomes us home without even requiring an apology.
Question: Do you realize how valuable you are to God? Let him answer that question in his own words: “You are my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5) “You were not a mistake.” (Psalm 193:15) “I am never distant or angry with you.” (1 John 4:16) “You are always on my mind.” (Psalm 139:17-18) “I am for you and not against you.” (Romans 8:31) “My desire is to lavish you with my love.” (1 John 3:1) “Nothing can separate you from my love.” (Romans 8:38-39) “I rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) He is the God who can hold back the walls or obstacles that threaten his children. (Remember the Red Sea.)
There is a message running around out there in Christian circles telling us that God doesn’t care if we are happy in this life; but, I for one, refuse to believe this. This is not what I read in scripture. Let’s take for instance why Jesus came to Earth in the beginning as he read the scrolls in the synagogue revealing his identity as the Messiah. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19) If we have experienced any of this in our lives, we have been the recipient of this grace. When he came, he took my sin and shame away, he lifted my head. “Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. (Isaiah 61:7) He will “bestow on us a crown of beauty instead of ashes---the oil of gladness instead of mourning.” (Isaiah 61:3)
Now, all of that makes me pretty happy, but we are not living on this earth just to make ourselves happy. We are to glorify God by reflecting his love to all those around us. We are not to put ourselves above another; we are called to express the love of Jesus to our fellow man. We were never meant to set ourselves up as some sort of god. That is the height of arrogance; that is the definition of narcissism. Wasn’t that Satan’s problem? Narcissism has no place in the life of a believer. When we are out only for #1 and are consumed with seeking our own pleasures, we are missing out on true fulfillment, true joy. True joy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and is experienced by “giving” and not by “getting.” When your head is lifted, you not only see things clearly, but you can also see better the needs of those around you. There is only one who is worthy of our worship, and that is Jesus.
With all this said, there is no doubt in my mind that God wants us to experience true joy in our lives, and at the same time, even in hard times, he wants us to find contentment in all circumstances. There are about 58 scriptures in the Bible that speak to this. Paul expressed this so well in Philippians 4:10-14; you might like to check it out.
“We can be sure that we will have to walk through many a valley before we get to the next mountaintop. There are over 2000 self-help books published every year, and of course, they do not offer the same remedies. Humanly speaking, we have tried everything to fix ourselves and have failed miserably. Life seems like a continuous roller coaster ride that never stops to let us off.” (Her Treasures, page 50)
Question: “Let’s ask ourselves some honest questions that may have haunted us for a long time. If I am promised peace and an abundant life, why is happiness so elusive? Why do I try so hard to get my emotional cup filled, when in the end, I still feel empty? If I am stuck riding this roller coaster of life, how can I overcome my fears and feel safe enough to enjoy the ride?” (Her Treasures, page 51.) One day you’re up; the next day you’re down. Is that about right?
Do you question these things from time to time? You may see yourself as broken or as damaged goods, but truthfully you are a survivor; we all are. We have all fought the battle, but somehow, we are still standing. We may be wounded; we may limp along in life, but God sticks with us every step that we take, holding up our heads with his grace. “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks, might He increase power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble, badly, yet those who wait (hope) for the Lord will gain new strength; they will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
I’ll bet that you can relate to certain specific characters in the Bible more than others. These are a few of my favorites. They each had a personal encounter with Jesus and metaphorically or literally experienced a “lifting of their heads.” The “sinful woman” who wet the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with her hair was commended by Jesus for loving much and sent away in peace. The “woman at the well” was given back her dignity when Jesus gave her living water and revealed to her that he was the promised Messiah. The “adulterous woman” was not condemned by Jesus even though he was the only one who was without sin and worthy to do so. The “bleeding woman” who bravely touched the tassels of Jesus’ garment believing that she would be healed was commended for her faith, and Jesus called her “daughter.” The “crippled woman” was loosed from her infirmity and raised to stand up no longer burdened with pain and humiliation. Jesus cast down their old identity and not only gave them a new identity but the power and grace for them to walk in it. In each of these stories the heart of Jesus was to lift their heads, return their dignity, and leave them whole.
God provided Adam and Eve with everything they needed for a fulfilling life in the Garden; he gave them security, satisfaction and significance. Today man yearns to get back those beautiful treasures that were lost in the Garden. But to do so the only way is through believing in his son, Jesus; only then will our heads be lifted to a place of true dignity and joy. “What then shall we say to these things? He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered Him for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
They say that if you have a lack of joy, do things in this order…Put (J) Jesus first, then (O) others next and (Y) yourself last. This is the remedy for unhappiness. Jesus lifted our heads up when we first believed and made us daughters and sons of the King. He gave us HOPE, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13) He gave us PEACE, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) And he gave us a PROMISE to “be with us until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) To sum this all up, meditate on his words as he lifts your head, looks into your tear-filled eyes and says to you, “My daughter, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
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