O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.

Psalm 69:5-6

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.  A public promise is a powerful thing. Although I didn’t realise at the time, the declaration I made in my speech at our wedding has been a flag on a hill in our family life.  It’s been a check in my spirit at times when I’ve considered my actions.  It’s been an unseen anchor to guide our family commitments.

David knew the impact of his life on others and Psalm 69 is a prayer that is as much about save me from myself as others.  Verses 5-8, especially, are David pleading his own version of ‘lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one’. Here’s how he comes across to me:

Lord, I’m ok with – or rather I can just about manage – all the ridicule from your enemies, and even from my own family.  But, I couldn’t cope with, in fact it would be unbearable, if your true followers, those children of yours that really put you first, were to look my way and immediately drop their heads in regret, pity and shame.  Let me stay strong Lord, if only for their sake, oh Lord!

If my promise fails how many others might I bring down with me?  If my flag is still flying, even somewhat tattered with a few running threads, how many of Father God’s people will be encouraged to hang on in there too?

Be faithful, keep running straight & true, relying on the Lord as each footstep hits the road. You’ll encourage so many other people.

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