Read Psalms 31-35
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave (Ps. 31:17).
Those who belong to Christ have no reason to be ashamed. There is nothing greater that can happen to an individual than to have the redemptive power of Jesus Christ touch their life. Nothing could be better or more positive than knowing you have been saved by the grace of the Son of God. There is no better feeling than knowing your eternal home has been bought and paid for by the blood of the Lamb. Praise God! How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb. 9:14).
That may all sound a bit like preaching. As believers in Christ, we should find it hard not to want to tell it to the entire world. We are truly the most blessed people in the world. Why shouldn't we say that?
What condition does today's verse set for not being ashamed? Those who have called on the name of the Lord. That includes all of us who have had our sins erased by the forgiveness of Jesus. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5).
The wondrous miracle of having our sins forgiven can only come from God. There is no other way to have our past mistakes erased. With Jesus, we get a fresh start and a new life. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12). Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
Today's verse also clearly tells who should be ashamed. The psalmist records that the wicked should be ashamed. The wicked rely on their own devices to get themselves through life. Although at times their plans may seem to work, it is only temporary. The day is going to come when the frailty of relying on anything but God will be exposed for what it is. That it is a flawed plan that can only take them to death, the grave and finally to hell. In hell they will wish they had trusted God. He could have carried them into eternity.
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:21).
Thought for Today:
Can you say with David, I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Ps. 34:1).
Word Studies:
31:4 privily, secretly; 31:6 lying vanities, all other gods; 31:8 shut me up, given me over; 32:2 guile, deceit; 32:3 roaring, complaining; 35:12 spoiling, determined to take my life; 35:15 abjects, slanderers.
Christ Revealed:
In the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken as recorded concerning His crucifixion (Ps. 34:20). These things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken (John 19:36).
Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourself, pray, and seek the will of God as you read His Word (2 Chron. 7:14).
Optional Reading: Colossians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: John 6:44