Week 2: Psalm 3

Psalm 3

A new year is often paired with a resolve to leave things behind in the year prior. We see claims of “new year, new me” being thrown around, as if the calendar flipping its page is what changes everything. We make our lists and declare our resolutions, believing that this will be the year that’s different. But despite our determination, we may still find ourselves carrying burdens and hurts from the previous year into the new one.

Truthfully, our circumstances can feel stacked against us sometimes. The hurt, grief, or fear we are experiencing can feel all consuming, and as much as we would like to shake it off and leave it behind, our best efforts to do so are not enough. We find ourselves fixated on whatever the thing is that has happened to us or that we are struggling through, and pretty soon that’s all we can see.

In this week’s Psalm, we find David crying out to God as he is running for his life from his enemies. He laments his circumstances to God, rightfully so. But he doesn’t stay there. He takes the focus of his prayer and turns it away from his predicament and onto the Lord. He knows that his circumstances cannot dim the brightness of God’s goodness, even in the darkest of places.

That’s true for us, today, too.

These verses remind us that God is the lifter of our head, the One who pulls our eyes up from the problems in front of us fighting for our attention and reminds us to focus on Him instead. When we choose to look to Him, to remember His character, His promises, and His love for us, we stop being dictated by our feelings and learn to walk in freedom. We remember that it’s not our efforts and resolutions that save us, it’s Him.

I don’t know what burdens you may be feeling the weight of right now. Maybe it’s the loss of someone you love. It could be a rocky marriage, job instability, wounds from a friend, or fear of the future. It’s okay to acknowledge those things and the feelings they bring about. But like David, don’t stay there. The Father hears your cries and will answer. He will sustain you through whatever it is you are facing. Even if the circumstances don’t change like we want them to, He doesn’t change. His love, kindness, and mercy are the same in our good seasons and our hard ones.

As you read and study this Psalm this week, ask yourself - is your focus on your circumstances more than it is on the One who will sustain you through them? And if it is, use this Psalm as a reminder of who God is, even in the scariest or darkest times. Remember the heart of the Father who loves His kids. Remember that He is a shield about you in your struggles, your protector and provider. Ask Him to lift your head so you can see Him more clearly, no matter your circumstances.

-Hannah

Hannah Lugibihl is the wife of her college sweetheart, Jonathan, and mama of three boys. They are a homeschool and mini-homestead family, two things she never thought she’d say about herself, but now wouldn’t have it any other way! She is also a photographer, artist, and writer, aiming to use her creative gifts to point people to Jesus.

Instagram: @hannahhomegrown

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Website: www.hannahhomegrown.com