My Disgrace

May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. ~ Psalm 69:6

What a humble prayer for David to pray; bleating that he isn't a stumbling block for others who reach out to the Father.  In the difficult circumstances that David was going through at this time, he prays that others aren't disregarded by God because of his selfish sins and that they would not be forgotten because of his rebellion.  Let's not forget that many are watching us and sometimes our rebellion and actions may be what others see; let us pray that our hypocrisy doesn't get in the way of the building of God's kingdom.  This is a plea to God to please not let my mindless sins and hypocrisy stifle the growth of God's righteous plan.  David is afraid that his actions and attitudes can and would be held against other believers and cause stumbling blocks for others before God.  We should feel the same way; we should pray that our stupidity and selfish sins would not cause others around us to fall.  We should be mindful and pray that our dishonor to God does not nullify, or hinder others approach to the one and only God Almighty.  Like David, we need to be concerned how our influence may, or may not, lead others to God.  Our sins, our lack of concern for other people, our words and actions can all have severe consequences for those seeking God and fellow followers.  Let us not be the reason some never find God, or some turn away from Him.  They see, hear, and sometimes feel our judgement (a hard one for me) and wonder why they would want to serve that "loving God".  Dear Lord, help me to draw people to you instead of push them from you. ~ Amen