May 2, 2024: The Lifter of My Head

  

    Shaqueena Shanuel Danvers

Student, NCU, Kings SDA, PK

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In Psalm 3:3-6 (KJV), David declared,

“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, And he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”

David’s head was down, symbolising that he was facing a difficult period in his life. He felt weary, downcast, and alone. He was being hunted, and his life was in danger. Having faced numerous obstacles, David knew what it felt like to be between a rock and a hard place. How many times have you found yourself in difficult situations? How many times have you walked with your head held down—walking in fear, failure, and defeat? It is hard for you to look up, and so your bowed head reflects your present state.

It was during such extremely challenging moments that David declared, "Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me." Even with his head down, David acknowledged that his God is his shield, his protector, and his deliverer. He also declared God as his glory and the lifter of his head. David recognised that God, as the lifter of his head, represented faith, hope, and trust in divine deliverance from whatever he was facing.

I have experienced many challenges in life that caused my head to be bowed low. But in those moments, God has a way of showing up—through a song, a sermon, or in unexpected ways—to lift my head.

My journey to Northern Caribbean University was rather fascinating and unplanned. My desire was to attend medical school and become an obstetrician-gynaecologist, but I felt the Lord leading me to work in the counselling profession. Due to COVID-19, I completed most of my studies online, and that experience was both depressing and stressful. In fact, even though I was doing well academically, emotionally, my head was down. I was not in a good place.

When I decided to go on campus, my head dropped even further upon seeing the physical environment, and I desperately wanted to return to online study from the comfort of my own room. However, my mother was adamant that I needed the whole college experience, and once again, my head sank even lower. Later, I decided to change my minor, which meant taking an additional semester, but that's all right because now my head is clearer, and I am enjoying the journey. I finally know what my career path should be and what God wants me to do, even though it is taking another Semester. Sometimes, I even wish I had more time! There is comfort in my heart each day, even though the curfew time has been adjusted! I am more resilient, positive, and optimistic about the future, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with children and young people as they strive to understand themselves. My experiences will serve as a powerful witness for young people, as I have learned to lift my head despite the storms. 

Lift up your heads and walk in faith.
Lift up your heads and live.
Lift up your head and give Him glory.
Lift up your head and walk like a child of the King.
Lift up your heads and sing through your storms.
Lift up your heads and be brave.

Lift up your heads and walk in victory.

Lift up your heads and look at the bright side of things. 

David cried out, and God heard him. God lifted up his head. I can imagine God placing His hand under David’s cheek and lifting his head. In faith, David responded and looked up to the Lifter of his head. God renewed his faith, and that night, David slept like a baby, resting in the Lord.

My prayer today is that God will lift up your head above your situations or circumstances. That you will find sweet sleep in Jesus, the sustainer of your faith and the lifter of your head.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are our shield, our glory, and the lifter of our heads. In moments of despair, remind us to look up to You. Strengthen our faith, renew our hope, and grant us the peace that surpasseth all understanding. May we walk in the confidence of Your love, knowing that You hold us in the palm of Your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for being a part of the Daughters Arise Ministry. Email for bookings @kingsdaughters035@gmail.com.