Faces Filled with Shame

 I know that I have failed in many ways in my life. I have been defeated by tasks that I could not complete. I ended up having to bow my head in shame and admit my failure. It hurt at first, but when I stopped to think about why I was brought to shame, it helped me hear from the Lord and do better the next time.

Asaph saw the enemies of God's people coming together to overcome them on the battlefield. Israel was out numbered, but their prayer was that God would fill their enemies faces with shame, so they would come to seek the Lord and know He is Lord over everything.  (Psalm 83:16,18) He wanted them to feel shame for their own good. That way they could seek God and know Him, not fight against Him.

It takes a lot to get some people to seek the Lord. Some have to get to the end of their rope before they admit their need for God. Others have to hit rock bottom before they will look up. Since God loves us, He will fill our faces with shame in an effort to get us to seek Him. He does it for our good. We should accept shame, and let God speak to us through it.

Sometimes, we need to pray this pray for those we love who need the Lord. We can ask God to engineer the circumstances in their lives, so they will realize their need and seek Him. They are the ones who have to turn to the Lord and trust Him, but at least they know for sure they need Him, and they can put their faith in Him as Lord of all. That is what we should want, because that is what God wants for everyone.

#NHBaptistdotorg

Tomorrow,  I intend to read Psalms 84-86.