Ashamed?

John walked into the office one day looking gloomy and down. He strode all the way to the pastor's office and knocked. "Come in" was heard from the other side of the door. John entered the pastor's office and closed the door behind him. The pastor saw that something was wrong with John and probed. John explained. "Pastor, I haven't been the best kid in the world. In fact, I think I would qualify to be the worst. I've done so many things over and over again. I know God had called me and all the prophecies and stuffs but, I don't think it's gonna happen. I'm just a sinner." The pastor smiled.

How many of us had had the same thought as John? Even I myself have asked that question before. We all have done many things that we are not that proud of and the shame sometimes causes us to wonder, "will God forgive me?" More than that, we ask, will God still accept us as his children? We repent, fall, repent, fall and the shame makes all these worse.

The Israelites weren't the best people as well. Even though they were God's chosen people, we see through the Bible chapters that they fell, repented, fell again, repented again, and the cycle continues. Israel had seen the greatness and power of God's deliverance, yet they still ended up being infiltrated by idolatry.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die, and then these people will begin to prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land into which they are going. They will reject me and break my covenant that I have made with them. At that time my anger will erupt against them and I will abandon them and hide my face from them until they are devoured. Many disasters and distresses will overcome them so that they will say at that time, ‘Have not these disasters overcome us because our God is not among us?’ But I will certainly hide myself at that time because of all the wickedness they will have done by turning to other gods. (Deuteronomy 31:16-18)

These were God's words to Moses before the Israelites entered the promise land. This means God knew that the Israelites would turn from Him. He knew that they will break His heart. But the beautiful thing was that He still brought them to the promise land because He was fulfilling the promise made to their ancestors:

For after I have brought them to the land I promised to their ancestors – one flowing with milk and honey – and they eat their fill and become fat... (Deuteronomy 31:20)

God is One who will keep His promises. Even though the Israelites was going to forsake Him, He still fulfilled His promise. God promised in His word:

But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision,but by God. (John 1:12)

This is one of His many promises to us. God will not break His promises but will keep it. This gives me the assurance that no matter what the shame, God is still our loving Father who will embrace us in His arms, just like the prodigal son. So next time Satan taunts you with shame, let us stand our ground and say to him: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)