INTRODUCTION

Every person has done sinful things for which he was ashamed even prior to salvation (Romans 6:21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
See All...). Some of those things are so wicked that the apostle Paul would not even mention what they were (Ephesians 5:12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
See All...). The life of a Christian was never intended by God to be that way. According to verse 5 above, the Christian life is to be a life void of shame. This type of fulfilled life is only possible when hope is present for “hope maketh not ashamed.” Yet, every Christian must come to understand that hope is the outcome of a sometimes lengthy spiritual process. Here is the biblical sequence. If one properly endures tribulation, he learns to have patience. Patience, in turn, brings experience, and experience brings hope. All these things work together in the life of the believer to keep him from living a life of shame. There is truly no shame in a life lived with hope!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Paul had hope in the resurrection and knew he would give an account of his life to the Lord (Acts 24:14-16 [14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: [15] And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. [16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
  See All...; Romans 14:12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
  See All...; 1 Corinthians 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
  See All...b). We will never be ashamed when we hope in God's word (Psalm 119:4-6 [4] Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. [5] O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! [6] Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Are you saved? If so, you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ one day. How important will it be in that day that you had hope in the Lord and His word?
• Think of some times when you hoped in the Lord. Think of some times when you claimed a Bible promise. Have you ever been ashamed in those times?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the blessings of hope.
• Ask God to help you hope in His word.

HYMN

THE SOLID ROCK

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