Joel 2:26 And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that has dealt wondrously with you… The explorer may be ashamed because the route he has patiently followed may lose itself in the waste, or the theory he has adopted may fail to explain all the facts. The discoverer may be ashamed because the unknown substance will not yield up its secrets to his tests. But God's people shall never be ashamed — never in this world, never in the next. In the hour of death and in the day of judgment, never ashamed. I. NEVER ASHAMED IN OFFERING PRAYERS WHICH GOD HAS HIMSELF INDITED. There are many prayers, doubtless, in which we shall be ashamed. We endeavour to impose our will on the Eternal, with strong cryings and team, as though to carry His unwillingness by the rush of our assault. Nay, it is not thus that we shall prevail. Of these prayers we shall often have good reason to be ashamed. But the true prayer is far other than this. II. NEVER ASHAMED IN OUR APPEAL FOR HELP AGAINST TEMPTATION. Temptations do not cease with increasing years. There may be now and then a brief lull and respite, but the storm will break with all the greater intensity. The temptations which you overcame in earlier life will come back again, urged on you by cleverer, subtler, more crafty spirits than before. Our only hope is to remain in union with the Risen, Living Saviour, whose Name is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow of things under the earth. III. NEVER ASHAMED IN THE RESULT OF WORDS WHICH HE HAS GIVEN US TO SPEAK, OR IN THE MISSIONS ON WHICH HE HAS SENT US. We may be very often ashamed as we consider the result of the elaborated sentences and perfected style; very much ashamed of the net result of enterprises which we have planned and executed with consummate care. Where are your sheaves? I have none. And why is this? Because our work has been in the power of the flesh. IV. NEVER ASHAMED OF OUR HOPE. (F. B. Meyer, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. |
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