The Lifter of My Head

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Have you ever felt so ashamed you couldn’t look anyone in the eye? Have you ever been so beaten down or so lost that you wondered if God even noticed you anymore? I want to talk to you about something most of us overlook—six words from Psalm 23:5: “Thou anointest my head with oil.” There’s healing and hope packed into that little phrase for anyone who’s ever felt worthless, wounded, or forgotten.

David wasn’t writing from a palace when he put those words down. He was hiding in a cave, hunted by his own son, feeling betrayed, and probably wondering if he had anything left to hope for. Yet right there, at rock bottom, he found comfort—not by staring at his mess, but by turning his eyes to the Lord.

What does it mean for God to anoint your head with oil? It means He sees where you’re hurting and comes close. Just like a shepherd puts oil on a sheep’s wounds, God is right there, ready to heal every place you’re broken—your heart, your mind, your spirit.

It also means you haven’t lost your worth. No matter what you’ve done or how low you’ve sunk, God’s anointing marks you as His own. He lifts your head when shame and guilt have you looking down. He gently raises your face and meets your eyes, not with condemnation, but with love.

And this anointing brings something else—the oil of joy. God doesn’t wait until your circumstances change to restore your hope. He brings joy right there in the middle of the darkest cave when all you see is trouble. He can turn your mourning into dancing, your shame into praise.

If you’re feeling lost or ashamed today, I want you to know that God is ready to lift your head. Through Jesus, you can look your Creator in the face, fully known and fully loved. You are never alone, not even in your deepest pit.

I invite you to listen. Maybe God will speak to you like He spoke to David. Perhaps you’ll find your head lifting, just a little, as you remember who you are in Him.

If He’s ever lifted your head—if He’s brought you out of shame or put joy back in your heart—I’d love to hear your story. Let’s walk this road together.

Preached at Shady Grove Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia, June 29, 2025.

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