“Indeed let no one who waits on You be embarrassed that they have done so”.  (Psalm 25:3, Virkler translation)

The more common (and scholarly) versions of that verse say, “Indeed let no one who waits on You be ashamed”.  I figured if I titled this post “Ashamed”, you’d think I was about to confess some awful transgression. Although “Embarrassed” probably got you interested, too.

But I didn’t just make up my translation.  That’s what “ashamed” means in the original Hebrew. It’s used to express that sense of confusion, embarrassment and dismay when matters turn out contrary to one’s expectations or defeat at the hands of an enemy.  (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

Honestly now, have you ever felt embarrassed or confused when you trusted God for something and it didn’t happen?  Have you felt defeated at the hands of the enemy who is always ready to taunt us about what appear to be prayer and trust failures?

I wonder what David was thinking.  Was he challenging God, saying “OK, I’ll trust You.  You better come through and not leave me hanging out there on this limb of faith”.  Or was he saying, “I am trusting You to work this out and I’m not going to give in to defeat.  Let me see You at work in the results, whether they are what I planned or not”.

I’ve been there.  I know what it’s like to trust God for something and then wait.  And wait.  And wait.  And sometimes I really do sense the enemy sneering at me from the shadows, whispering his lies about God’s failure to “come through”. 

And that’s when I have to remember that waiting God’s way comes with promises.  There’s no place for embarrassment, confusion or dismay.  God has a reason for our wait.  When Satan is laughing at my faith and my trust, all I need to do is turn to him and say, “You thought I’d falter, but I know my God has a plan and it’s good and nothing you can say will change that”. 

Now let’s see who is going to be embarrassed, Satan.

Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

I waited patiently for the LORD and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.          Psalm 40:1