One of the first rules for practicing medicine is first of all, do no harm. The same applies to those of us practicing a life of faith.

David agreed. While acknowledging his sins David prayed, Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

A lot of people look at the church and see only the sins of religious leaders. Those who abuse their position for money or sex or power block the path to living water. Shepherds who take advantage of their flocks drive inquirers, and the once-faithful away.

Spreading like an oil slick, these actions discredit all who follow the Lord in good faith. Worst of all, they place a screen between the goodness of the Lord and the needs of those who seek him. Jesus spoke directly to such irreligious leaders: It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble (Luke 17:2).

David’s prayer is spot-on for those of us who claim that following the Lord is vital to life on this earth and the key to a joyful eternity.

While we cannot avoid sin in our lives—we’re human after all—we can join David in praying that as much as possible our sinful actions do no harm.

Psalm 69 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Luis Melendez