Let Me Never Be Not Ashamed

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-1-2025

Psalm 31

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 31 is Davidic.  This wonderful but flawed man, after God’s own heart, had a complex and difficult life, from his youth to his death.  I cannot reiterate enough the fact that God’s people face a myriad of troubles in this life, some we personally caused and others that we did not. 

 

B.  Hardship, troubles, trying times, and sickness are not necessarily signs of sinfulness or weakness.    When I think of hardships in life, I place Job, David, and Paul at the head of the list. 

 

1.  These Davidic Psalms are both encouragements and warnings.  Each of these men lived hard lives at times.  The warnings are plain to see.  All three of these men were godly men who were utterly devoted to serving the Lord, and life did not always treat them well.

 

2.  Though a life lived for Christ may not be the easiest path to walk, it is the most rewarding.    God mentioned them!  Their lives counted for something here on earth, and their reward would be eternal.

 

C.  In this Psalm, as in most of the Davidic Psalms, we find David crying out to God for deliverance.  Throughout the Psalm, David shifts back and forth from crying in despair to faith in a God who cannot and will not fail.

 

D.  Thus, we find the application to be made concerning all of us.  I believe that the key to this Psalm is the word “ashamed,” which is used twice.  Verse 1 and verse 17.  The phrases in which the word is used differ in tense. 

 

1.  Verse 1: “Let me never be ashamed” is in the future tense.  “Never” takes it from the present to the entirety of David’s life.  In verses 1-3, David expresses his faith and blessed hope in the Lord.

 

2.  Verse 17: “Let me not be ashamed, O LORD” is present tense.  “Not” speaks of the present and the situation at hand.

 

E.  Verses 1-3.  David’s Plea.  David’s Plea is based upon:

 

1.  The Person of David’s Trust: “O LORD”

 

2.  The Prayer of David’s Trust:  “ Bow down thine ear to me”

 

3.  The Promise of David’s Trust:  “ be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. 

 

F.  Verses 4-13.  David’s Predicament. 

 

1.  David’s enemies are having a “field day” with this great man of God.  Sometimes, in each of our lives, that happens.

 

2.  Verse 4.  “ Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me.” 

 

David is tangled in the Net.  The enemy set a trap for him and he is now in it.

 

3.  Verses 9-10.  “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.  (10)  For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.” 

 

David has been in the net for a while now and his spirit is overwhelmed.

 

4.  Though his enemies mock David and his God, David is resigned to God’s time in verses 15-16. God’s time and God’s way is not only the best way, it is the only way.

 

Psalms 31:15-16  My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.  (16)  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

 

G.  Verses 1, 17.  “Ashamed!”  David’s greatest fear was not being ashamed of himself but the possibility of being ashamed of God. 

 

1.  Ashamed – to be embarrassed or humiliated.  To lose confidence in something or someone.  The biblical definition is “disgraced.” 

 

2.  We have all been ashamed of ourselves, but none of us wants to arrive at the point where we are ashamed of God or the things of God. When trouble assails us, the world often asks, “Where is your God?” or “Why would God allow this to happen to you?”

 

3.  God help us to have the mindset that David had:  “Let me never be ashamed” in the future and “Let me not be ashamed” in the present.

 

H.  Now, by application, if a man after God’s own heart is affected in such a manner, we as God’s children are not exempt.   What does the devil want us to be ashamed to talk about or associate with?

 

1.  Never ashamed of our Saviour.  Often, in the presence of the world, we are afraid to tell the lost about our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Never ashamed of our Salvation.  Telling others of not only our wonderful Saviour but also of our great salvation.  I traded hell for heaven and got an incredible deal!  A new hope and a new home. 

 

3.  Never ashamed of our Sanctification.  Not flaunting our new lives in Christ as that exalts self while expressing the wonderful change that God has made in our lives, which exalts Him.  I love my new life in Christ.  It is undoubtedly a lot better than my life without Christ.  I would not go back to where I was before Christ found me.

 

4.  Never ashamed of our Scriptures.  Bible believers are simply that, Bible believers.  The world and religion do not want to have a “final authority.”  I may be ignorant and unlearned, but I believe and love my Bible.  I do not follow what people say about my Bible; I just follow my Bible.  I am proud of my Bible, the King James Bible.  It is not a version; it is the Bible!

 

5.  Never ashamed of our Sanctuary.  God has given us a wonderful people who assemble in a wonderful church.  We are old-fashioned, but so are the Old Paths trod by our fathers, wherein is the good way.  We may be few in number, but we are one in spirit with no divisions or strife.  This is a great place to call home.

 

6.  Never be ashamed of our Siblings.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ!  Not a perfect one in this church.  We are one.  We are God’s children and should treat one another with love and respect.  We are all family.  Satan is a divider, but thank God, He is a unifier! 

 

7.  My prayer is “Dear Lord, never let me be ashamed!”  The day may come when I can no longer pastor because of physical or mental difficulties, but I want this church and church family always to be my church and church family!