My Promise for 2009

I love Psalm 37. I especially love this specific promise. This has been my praise and will continue to be my prayer for 2009:

18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. (NLT)

I love that David uses the word translated as "disgraced" here ... other versions use the word "ashamed" ... I know for me, personally, I trust the Lord to provide. Doubt that my family might not have enough to eat or a roof over our heads is not something I personally struggle with. That said, I LOVE that the Lord takes it one step further to promise that I will not be DISGRACED or ASHAMED in hard time. I take a lot of comfort in that.

For our family, the Lord has opened doors for Tim to have a great job - even in this tough economic climate. For that, we are so very, very grateful. We know many who are struggling right now with unemployment or underemployment. I pray they would rest in the knowledge that if they are in Christ and trusting in the Lord, no matter what happens, they will not be disgraced in these hard times. The Bible promises disgrace for a lot of offenses, but traveling through hard times while trusting in the Lord is not one of them.

Here's a little word study on this word "disgraced" from the Spirit Filled Life Bible:

"Bush" (pronounced boosh); Strong's #954. To be ashamed, shamed, disappointed, disgraced, or embarrassed. Among its derivatives are busha (shame) and boshet, which is translated "shame," but refers to an idol. The idol itself was considered a shame or an embarrassment. An idol also guaranteed that its worshippers would eventually be shamed or greatly disappointed in their choice of an object of worship. Bosh is used for the sense of disappointment one experiences when one's hope fails in an embarrassing way; but those who trust in the Lord shall never be ashamed.

Romans 10:11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."

1 Peter 2:6 As the Scriptures say, "I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."

Joel 2:26 Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced.

And another one of my all time favorite verses...

Psalms 34:5 NIV Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame