THE CURE FOR SHAME.
MEMORISE:
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Psalm 119:6
READ: Psalm 119:1-8
1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
MESSAGE:
Genesis 3:10 says that after the devil had deceived Adam and Eve, they suffered from shame. They were ashamed because the glory of the Lord had departed from them. Thus, we see that it was disobedience that brought about shame upon the first couple. God had earlier warned them against eating the forbidden fruit, but they eventually did. Disobedience to God’s word brings untold shame and agony.
To avoid or remove shame, we must return to the world of God and live according to its dictates, as we see in today’s memory verse. Our Scripture reading says those who walk in the law of the Lord are blessed because they are undefiled. It goes further to establish the blessedness of the keepers of the testimonies of the Lord and those who seek Him with their whole heart. Why are they blessed? They are blessed because those iniquities that bring about shame are kept away from them through their obedience.
It is sad that today when Pastors teach on obedience, some people shun it because according to them, we are in the grace dispensation and not that of the law. These people forget that we cannot be in sin and expect grace to abound (Romans 6:1-2). Psalm 119:9 also says:
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word……Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Proverbs 3:35 says the wise shall inherit glory but shame shall be the promotion of fools. The word ‘fools’ here refers to people who acts as though there is no God (Psalm 53:1). When fellow behaves as if his or her wickedness shall not be brough to book, the person is indirectly saying that there is no God anywhere to judge him. When a person travels far away from a familiar environment just to commit sin, he or she is acting like there is no God because otherwise, such a fellow would know that God is everywhere. Shame is the portion of such people. You will not be put to shame, in Jesus’ name. if this prayer would be answered, you must repent and live in complete obedience to the word of God.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to keep holding fast to the word of salvation and to live thereby, to the end.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ESTHER 1-5.
HYMN 12: IN CHRIST ALONE.
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
