Psa. 31:1-24 LET ME NOT BE ASHAMED

Intro: The Psalmist is engaging in prayer before the Lord. As he pours out his heart, it becomes clear that he is going through a difficult time spiritually. His prayer is for the Lord not to fail him, v. 1,17. His desire is to be vindicated in the presence of His enemies.

As I read these words, I see in them more than a plea for help. I also see a statement of faith. This man speaks of several areas of his spiritual life that you and I need to consider this evening. His desire is for help from God, my desire is to show you the areas of life mentioned in which we should never be ashamed. Let's notice these truths as we thing on the thought, "Let me not be ashamed!"

We all know what it is to be ashamed. Webster defines the word as, " feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace; feeling inferior or unworthy" We all know what being ashamed means, not from a textbook definition, but because we have all experienced times in life when we have been ashamed. And, certainly, there are things about us of which everyone ought to be ashamed. By the same token, there are some things related to our relationship with God of which we should never be ashamed! That is what I want to share with you tonight. So, let's look at the thought, "Let me never be ashamed!"

I. V. 3a, 5, 14b, 16 TO POSSESS HIM

A. He is "MY" God! (Ill. John 1:12)

B. It is not a sign of weakness to express a need for God! (Ill. John 15:5)

C. He is our source of Strength, Phil. 4:13; Comfort, 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 11:28; Security, Heb. 13:5; Refuge, Rom. 5:9.

II. V. 1, 14 TO PROFESS HIM

A. If you possess Him, you need to profess Him!

B. Not ashamed of people knowing that I am a Christian! (Il. Rom. 9:33; Luke 9:26)

C. Hold you head high and proudly tell the world that Jesus is yours - Luke 12:8.

III. V. 2, 17, 22 TO PRAY TO HIM

A. Not a sign of weakness, a demonstration of power!

B. The real weakling is that person who thinks he can handle it himself, 1 Pet. 5:7.

C. Prayer is the Christian's greatest resource! It opens the bank of Heaven and unlocks the power of God in our lives! Use it liberally! There are 2 areas of life where we need to be avowed liberals. One is in the area of giving and the other in the area of prayer!

D. Jesus promised to:

1. Hear us - Jer. 33:3; 1 John 5:15

2. Help us - John 16:23-24; Psa. 37:4; James 4:2; Luke 11:9

IV. 4, 7, 21 TO PRAISE HIM

(Ill. 64 Psalms discuss praise!)

A. We have much to praise Him for! (Ill. Salvation, no hell, Heaven, needs, Holy Spirit, Word of God, Etc)

B. We are commanded to praise God, 1 Thes. 5:18; Heb. 13:15; Psa. 9:1-2; Rev. 19:5; Luke 19:37-40.; Psa. 34:1; Psalms 146-150; Psa. 113:1; Psa. 107:22; Psa. 135:1; Psa. 47:1 ,etc!

C. It is your duty - Do not be ashamed!

V. V. 4, 5, 7b, 9, 20 TO PRESENT MYSELF TO HIM

A. Not worthy to enter His presence as I am, but through the blood of Jesus I am declared worthy! (Ill. 1 John 1:7)

B. Present Myself Now - Rom, 12:1 - In service

C. Present my self in Heaven - Unashamed, because of what Jesus did - Col. 1:22

D. Ill. We aren't much this evening, but through the blood of Jesus we will be able to present ourselves before him in Heaven. We will have every right to be there!

VI. 23, 24 TO PRESCRIBE HIM

A. He is the cure for the disease of sin! (Ill. The Gospel is healing medicine for every sick soul!)

B. We must tell others about him - Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

C. Never be ashamed to witness. Be proud of who you are, whose you are, and tell others how they can become that also!

D. Tell the lost! (Ill. We are watchmen - Eze. 3:17-18)