“Shame is nothing more than the fear that you aren’t good enough.” I came across that quote recently and it stuck with me. I can’t remember where I saw it, but it sure made me think. My immediate thought was “News Flash: WE AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH!” and when we realize that, then we are filled with shame.
The Scriptures repeatedly speak of being ashamed. And they repeatedly provide a remedy for shame. One place the remedy is found is in Psalm 34.
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” [Psalm 34:4-5 NLT]
Psalm 34 is a song of triumph. It speaks of the Lord’s greatness, care, rescue, and redemption. Read it today and soak in how good our God is and how when we turn to him, there isn’t even a “shadow of shame” darkening our faces.
Psalm 34 was written by David when he found himself in desperate trouble. Fleeing from King Saul he ended up in enemy territory. He went to the King of Gath where he was recognized. 1Samuel 21:12-15 says that he panicked and that he “pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard” to escape. [NLT]
Reconciling that scene with the grandeur of Psalm 34 always leaves me wondering about the ways of God and how we view them and our own hearts. David should have been filled with shame, yet when he turned to the LORD, he was freed from his fears and filled with joy – and “no shadow of shame” darkened his face.
