- Glory and Lifter
Psalm 3.3
My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Another part of the promise ascribed to God by David deals mostly with what we would call honor, reputation and self-esteem. The Lord will always be there to be glory for us and build up true God-esteem. When one cannot raise his own head because of sadness or shame, depression or despair the Lord is there to lift up his head, set him on his feet and keep him moving. “Glory” = extrinsic beauty of intrinsic excellence. I bring shame and disgrace upon myself, but the Lord is my glory. He lives in me; He has pardoned, accepted, and adopted me, made me his heir, and crowned me as king.
When taking hold of this promise is most needed it is just then that it is most difficult. But it is in the midst of such depths of dishonor and depression that we most need to believe this promise of God, allowing Him to restore our glory and self-image by giving us His. When we are most hangdog we must then look up to Christ, receive this promise, and let him gently put his hand under the chin and lift up our head.
First, Jesus lifts the spirit by the forgiveness of sins, accepting us as we are, and receiving us into his presence. Then he restores the soul, repairs the brokenness, and stirs up hope in the promises of God. The result of God’s Spirit acting on the spirit is that He affects the body and the head is lifted up, literally and figuratively. Joy is included in this freedom from shame. Luke 21:28: “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh.” With the promise comes strength and courage, for when God lifts the head, who can bow it down again? God lifts the head, that is, God promises to move His child from despair to hope. My Glorious One, my great King, my God is the one who defends my honor and gives me victory. Faith, which the believer already has, sees goodness and power in God to raise him out of the lowest condition. This God is “the lifter up of our head” by the gift of holy confidence and the hope of resurrection; since this hope is a sure thing so also is the promise of “lifting.”