“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.” (Psalm 25:1-3 NIV)

I don’t like being accused. In fact, I don’t know anyone who likes being accused! We especially don’t like being falsely accused; but most of us will also distance ourselves from any kind of accusation, even when it is well deserved!

As a teacher, I often was witness to this. After breaking up a fight on the play ground, I would always hear, “But he started it!” followed by, “No! He pushed me first!” from the other guilty party.

I also witnessed this time and time again with my own boys. Anytime anything happened that they perceived would put them in trouble, they were quick to come and tell us in no uncertain terms how it had all been the fault of the other one. Often times, however, the fault lie a bit on both sides…

Even though we are all so quick to point the accusing finger at one another, there is only One who has the right to accuse: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NIV). This is because God is all wise, and He sees the end from the beginning: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:10 NIV). And, there is no one on earth who can truly say they have not done anything wrong, that they have not hurt God: “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 NIV).

God, therefore, is the only One who not only has the right to accuse, but also the reason to accuse. Nonetheless, I have never been accused by my Heavenly Father. Rather, He gently calls to me when I have strayed, ever lovingly waiting until I come back. Yes, sometimes His hand of discipline is upon me, and believe me, I certainly have deserved those times. Nonetheless, God does not condemn me. Why? “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame…” (Psalms 25:1-3a NIV)

Am I unique?

Not at all. God loves YOU that much, too. All you have to do is put your trust in Him, and you will also never be put to shame!

The problem, then, lies with those who do not put their trust in God. To these, God says: “but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.” (Psalm 25:3b NIV).

We all deserve God’s shame, and in all honesty, there is only one difference between those who receive it and those who do not: “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” (Psalms 25:1a NIV). It all boils down to trust! Our only responsibility is to put our trust in Him, to get to know Him, to love Him. Our Heavenly Father loves us, and when we put our trust in Him, He will help us.  

Trust in God, and you too, will be able to say, “do not let me be put to shame…”

Rob Chaffart


(To access the entire “The Sling for God” devotional series, please click here.)