![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Psalm_31_1.jpg)
| “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.” |
| —Psalm 31:1 |
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word “shame” as:
“…a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety; a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute; something that brings censure or reproach.”
Shame is not something that we want much of in our lives.
Yes, we’ve all done things over the course of our lives that have made us feel shame—unless, of course, we’re sociopaths, in which case we would never feel shame in any case. But, most of the time in our shame, since we recognize the fact that because Christ has paid the penalty for our sins and God has forgiven us, we eventually learn to forgive ourselves, as well.
King David recognized the role that shame can play in our lives. David knew that shame can become a barrier to wholeheartedly serving God. Shame can cause us to shrink from our responsibility to reach out to others in God’s behalf. Shame can isolate us from others. Shame can make us feel that we are unworthy.
David penned these vital words, found in Psalm 31:1:
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
As we begin another new day, let’s make certain that we acknowledge our sins. But, let’s also make certain that we do not wallow in shame. Instead, let’s seek refuge in the God who loves us with His unfailing, undying love. And, let’s make certain that we never seek to shame someone else because of what they may have done.
