NOT ASHAMED Speaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Even in the midst of shame look unto the Lord for everything. Put your complete trust upon Him. The Lord will never allow you to be defeated by the devil. We will not be ashamed on any account. The verses found in Psalms 22:5, 25:2 and 71:1, declares that those who trust in the Lord will not be ashamed. The Scripture says in Isaiah 49:23, "For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me." If you wait at the feet of the Lord for everything then you will not be ashamed of anything.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 says, the devil goes about like a roaring lion looking forward to which family he could attack. He particularly attacks the family, which regularly attends church with one accord and worship the Lord with much reverence. His only primary motive is destruction.
This is exactly what happened in the life of Job. He lost his children, possession and health. Thereby he had no peace, joy but was ashamed. His own wife says in Job 2:9,10, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" In other words she asked, "Why are you still living?" Just imagine the intensity of pain the husband would have had to bear when his own wife utters such words. A wife is meant to support the husband and so is the husband. But when such an attitude is not the outcome of a spouse it brings about great agony to the heart.
In Job 19:13-17, Job explains all the problems that he was going through. The shame he felt because of his own family for even his own servants looked down at him. They who greatly honored him previously now looked at him with contempt. Even in such a situation, Job's utterance is the crux for today's Christian living. Job firmly says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" Job 13:15. How about you? Always remember that the Lord honors such people.
The destiny of those who trust in the Lord is described in James 5:11. Those who endure are counted as blessed people. Job endured everything patiently. With much perseverance he patiently bore all the pain. Surely the Lord will give you the grace to bear all the pain with a smile. Hearts of heart you may be filled with agony, inexpressible pain but yet your face will throw a smile which has this message, "the Lord is with me".
Therefore, put your complete trust upon him. He is more than enough. Then you will be strengthened in the Lord. In Job 42:10 the fruit of patience is described. "And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Yes the Lord blessed him in a double-fold measure". The same Lord is alive today.
Yes the Lord of Job lives. If you read James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation. For when he has been approved, he will receive a crown of life." Surely in this world, you will be crowned with blessings. People will honour you. In the same place where Job met with shame he was greatly honoured.
A certain family who believed in the Lord went through deep financial crisis. Day by day financial difficulty increased and they were caught in a debt trap. The relatives of that family stated, "You have been placing so much of trust in the Lord that is why you are losing everything. Look at us, we also go to church on Sundays but on other days we just lead a nominal life and thus far have never faced any financial difficulty." This following would be the note of the worldly people. "Why are you following the Lord? If you place your complete trust on Him you will only suffer". In the same manner, people criticized that family who placed their trust in God. However, they said, "Whatever may happen we will cling on to the Lord. He will never let us down." They cried out to the Lord with fasting saying, "Lord many people are criticizing us for placing our trust on You. Please do not let us down before them. We know that You will never let us down and therefore we give our lives completely into Your hands."
Years rolled by. Gradually the breadwinner of that family was blessed abundantly in his place of work. He received many promotions and rose to a great position in his career. The company gave him many facilities like a car and bungalow. The people who kept watching them later confessed, "Surely the Lord whom you believe in, is a great God. What you are doing is good and therefore we will also follow you." They began to worship Him with great love and affection.
Dearly beloved, the Lord shall supply all your needs according to Philippians 4:19. If you read Isaiah 61:7, it states that, "Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs."
As Job received double fold blessings you will also receive double fold honour. God will bless you abundantly. You may say, "Mine is a dysfunctional home and there is no peace. I am lonely and there is no joy. There is no one to love me". Even in the midst of shame look unto the Lord for everything. Put your complete trust upon Him. The Lord will never allow you to be defeated by the devil. We will not be defeated any more because Jesus Christ God's only Son has fought the battle and He has won. Therefore we will not be defeated anymore.
Prayer
Almighty God,
I place my hope and my complete trust in You alone. I thank You because I know that Your Holy Spirit dwells in my heart. Give me the grace to bear the pain inflicted by this world. Help me to endure patiently that I may receive the crown of life. I offer all of my doubts, frustrations, disappointments and misgivings in this world, in Your loving hands. Strengthen my heart; give me the ability to look beyond what I see to what I know; help me to share the light of Your hope with the world.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen. |