Day 5

Genesis 9–10 | Mark 1:1–20 | Psalm 3

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)

These past nine weeks have tested me in ways I never imagined. The aftermath of my hand injury has brought countless moments when I’ve felt unable to lift my head—figuratively and sometimes even literally. The weight of my limitations, the grief over what I’ve lost, and the frustration of slow healing have been overwhelming. Yet this verse reminds me: God doesn’t leave me there. He lifts my gaze from my weakness to His strength.

Life presses down—through setbacks, struggles, the challenges of parenting a pre-teen, the grueling demands of physical therapy, and the relentless grind of daily responsibilities. But Psalm 3 shows us that God meets us in the pressure. He bends low, shielding us from despair and lifting our eyes to see His grace. His promises stand firm, even when everything around us feels unsteady.

What strikes me most is the context of this psalm. David wrote these words while fleeing from his son Absalom—a time of betrayal, fear, and sorrow. Yet even in the chaos, he declared God as his shield and the lifter of his head. That isn’t denial of pain. It’s faith—a stubborn, unshakable trust in the God who sustains us through it.

I don’t always feel strong enough to face what’s ahead. But this verse reminds me that strength isn’t found in me. God lifts my head when I cannot. He shifts my focus from the weight of my circumstances to the unwavering hope I have in Him.

Lord, You are my shield and the lifter of my head. When life presses down, help me trust in Your strength. Teach me to see Your grace even in the hardest moments and rest in the assurance that Your promises never fail. Amen.