But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory,
and the One who lifts up my head. - Psalm 3:3 KJV
Good morning, friends,
Are you familiar with that psalm? King David wrote those words while running from his son Absalom, who led a rebellion to overthrow him. Talk about family problems! Though David must have been heartbroken by his son’s betrayal, he still looked to God as his protector and, even more, as the One who encouraged him.
There are times in life when our heads hang low. Maybe you’re facing a family struggle like David, weighed down by grief or despair. Maybe you’re discouraged by unanswered prayers or feeling overwhelmed by life. If so, I’m glad you’re here for encouragement.
In today’s Happy Monday, I want to take you into a story from Luke’s gospel where Jesus literally lifted the head of a woman who had been spiritually attacked. Yet, despite her suffering, she continued to worship God and waited nearly two decades for her healing.
In Luke 13:10, Jesus visits a synagogue on the Sabbath to teach, and Luke the physician notes a woman with a rare condition in the next verse:
He saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. (NLT)
Scholars believe she suffered from spondylitis ankylopoietica, but Luke points out that her illness had a spiritual root—an evil spirit. Not all illness comes from spiritual oppression (Matthew 4:24), but in her case, it did. Sometimes our struggles can have spiritual roots, like bitterness or fear, or they can result from spiritual oppression, as Job experienced. (Most scholars agree that while a believer cannot be demonically possessed, believers can experience demonic oppression.)
Can you picture this woman? Let’s step into her story for a moment. If you’re able, try this:
- Bend forward at your waist.
- In that posture, turn your head from side to side. Notice what you can and can’t see.
- Try to sit in a chair while staying bent over. How does it feel?
- Finally, stand up again without straightening your spine.
When I tried this, I felt vulnerable. My back ached, and my vision was limited. I couldn’t see what was ahead of me—only what was beneath me.
For 6,575 days, that was her life. She couldn’t lift her face to the sun or feel its warmth. Her view was dirty feet, dust, and likely things that crawled along the ground. Meaningful touch or hugs would have been awkward, maybe impossible.
Most of us would like to know what she did to cause the spiritual oppression, but we’re not sure if she caused it or if it happened to her. However, we are told two important details:
First, Jesus calls her a “daughter of Abraham” (Luke 13:16), confirming her faith.
Second, she continued to worship God despite her suffering.
Her head was down, but she worshiped through it. I wonder if her hope in God gave her spiritual vision when her physical vision was limited.
During my family’s decade-long alcohol crisis, I lived through seasons of spiritual heaviness. My former spouse’s addiction changed the spiritual atmosphere of our home, and for a long time, I felt bent over by grief. But through worship and prayer, God began to lift my head. Soli Deo Gloria! He helped me see beyond loss and pain to His hope and faithfulness.
I think that bent-over woman saw more than the dirt beneath her. Maybe she found beauty right where she was. I can imagine her tending gardens, noticing small flowers, or smiling at babies crawling near her feet. Perhaps her perspective helped her see what others overlooked.
When our hearts are heavy, it’s easy to keep our heads down. But worship lifts both our hearts and our gaze. As I wrote in my Matthew: Pray Like This Bible study, remember this:
God IS loving and gracious.
He HAS been faithful and good.
He CAN do the impossible.
He WILL keep His promises.
Let those truths lift your head today. Stop and think through how God’s faithfulness has shown up in your life. What do you need to stop and “see,” even if your head has been low?
We all can worship to lift our heads as we start the week!
Last week, I shared a Spotify worship playlist, and I’m sharing it again. If your heart has been low, play a song or two this morning. Give God space to remind you that He is with you, He is for you, and He will never fail you.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU: Do you need God to lift your head today? What’s been keeping your head down? Is there a worship song or Bible verse that you’d like to share with me that has encouraged you? Hit reply and tell me more!
