“In you I trust; do not put me to shame.”

Do you realise, Lord, what will happen to you if you let me down and put me to shame? I am a believer, and as such I somehow bear your name and represent you before your people, so that if my name suffers... your name also will suffer together with mine. We are linked together. My shame, rightly or wrongly, will reflect on you. For the sake of your name, Lord, do not let me down.

I have told others that you are the one who never lets down. What will they say if they see now that you do that to me? I have proclaimed with confidence: Jesus never fails! And are you now going to fail me? That would silence my tongue and cancel my witness. That would try my faith and hurt my friends. That would hinder your kingdom in me. Do not let that happen, Lord,

I know that my sins come in the way. That is why I pray with the psalm:

“Do not remember the sins and offences of my youth,
but remember me in your unfailing love.
For the honour of your name, O Lord,
forgive my wickedness, great as it is.”

Don’t look at my wrongdoings but at my trust in you. On that trust I base my whole life. On that trust I speak and I act and I live. The trust that you will never fail me. That is my faith and that is my boast. You never fail. You will not make me lose face. You will not let me down.

It is hard to say that at times when I am under a cloud and see no light and can expect no deliverance. I know that you work at long range, and my short patience demands an immediate release when you rather contemplate a long-term plan. We follow different timetables and my calendar does not easily fit into your eternity. I am ready to wait, ready to keep your time and to follow your step.

But do not forget me in the end, Lord. Let my trust come through and my hope be redeemed. Give me signs of your favour that my faith may be strengthened and my boast be upheld. Show me in my life how you never let down those who trust in you, that I may continue to feel that confidence and to proclaim that joy. The Lord never lets down his people.