Heading into a Sunday morning these days requires what it always has, a necessary transition from the chaos of life to a present mindfulness in the gathering.

One of my favorite psalms, one that the Lord did significant work in me in my first years as a Christian, is Psalm 3.

It begins:

1 O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; 
 2 many are saying of my soul, "There is no salvation for him in God." 
 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. 
 4 I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. 
Selah
Psalm 3:1-4

Maybe you’re like me and you feel super grateful that parts of life are returning to normal right now. Even in the midst of that, there’s also new chaos around how and when to add commitments back into our busy lives. It can feel like you’re once again being pulled in 1000 directions.

Some of us are experiencing verse two and interacting with others that are confused or even hostile to the Church and the gospel. These are certainly interesting times to follow Christ.

Through it all, he is our shield. He is ultimately our protection. He is the one who carries us through difficult times. He is the one who gets the credit for the good things in our life. When we feel exhausted, beat down, worn out, or anxious, this Psalm reminds us that he hears us. This is a promise worth recalling for all of us.

Jesus comes to our lives in his care and gentleness and lifts our head. He lifts are head so that we can put our eyes back on him and endure anything this world can throw at us. That's worthy of our song.