My People Shall Never Be Ashamed

The promise of God in Joel 2:26 is one of the most profound assurances of His covenant faithfulness: “And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed” (Joel 2:26). This statement is more than a promise of material provision; it is a declaration of divine security, spiritual honor, and eternal assurance for those who belong to God. To be “ashamed” in Scripture means to be confounded, put to dishonor, or found without refuge when trial or judgment comes. God pledges that those who are His will never be abandoned, dishonored, or left without a defense. Let us carefully explore the spiritual principles that uphold this promise.

1. Looking Unto God in Prayer – No Shame (Psalm 34:5; 1 Kings 18:22–40)

“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed” (Psalm 34:5). Shame flees when the believer’s eyes are lifted heavenward. Elijah, in the contest at Mount Carmel, looked to heaven and prayed, and fire fell (1 Kings 18:36–38). The prophets of Baal were left disgraced, but Elijah was honored before all. When we lift our faces to God in trust, He vindicates His people.
To pray is to transfer confidence from self to God. Those who trust in their own strength shall be brought low (Jeremiah 17:5), but those who look to God shall shine with heavenly light and never be ashamed.

2. Waiting Upon God in Faith – No Shame (Isaiah 49:23; Luke 2:25; Isaiah 40:31)

“…for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (Isaiah 49:23).
Simeon, in Luke 2:25–32, patiently waited for the Consolation of Israel. He did not die until he beheld Christ, the Savior. Waiting upon God is not wasted time—it is strengthening time. “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
Those who run ahead of God often stumble in confusion, but those who wait shall be vindicated. Waiting produces patience (James 1:3–4), and patience preserves the soul from shame.

3. Walking in God’s Commandments – No Shame (Psalm 119:6, 98–100)

“Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6). True honor is tied to obedience. To respect God’s commandments is to order one’s steps by His Word (Psalm 119:133). The obedient believer gains wisdom greater than enemies, teachers, and elders (Psalm 119:98–100).
Shame comes to those who despise God’s Word (Jeremiah 6:10–15), but those who tremble at His Word (Isaiah 66:2) find lasting honor.
4. A Heart Sound in God’s Statutes – No Shame (Psalm 119:80; Isaiah 38:1–5; Song of Solomon 4:7)

“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed” (Psalm 119:80).
Soundness of heart: purity, sincerity, and wholeness before God, guards against shame. King Hezekiah, though stricken with disease, prayed with a perfect heart, and God extended his life (Isaiah 38:1–5).
The Bride of Christ is called “all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee” (Song of Solomon 4:7). When the church walks in holiness, she has nothing to fear at the appearing of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

5. Believing in Christ – No Shame (Romans 9:33; Romans 10:11)

“…whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33; cf. Isaiah 28:16). Faith in Christ is the foundation of boldness. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Believers who trust in Christ’s death and resurrection stand secure, for “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Unbelief leads to confusion, but faith in Christ ensures that the believer is never confounded in time or eternity.

6. Suffering for the Gospel – No Shame (2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 1:16)

Paul boldly declared: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 1:12). Shame often comes when affliction is interpreted as defeat. But in Christ, suffering becomes honor. Paul endured imprisonments and persecutions, yet declared: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). The believer’s confidence lies in knowing that God keeps what is committed to Him until the day of Christ.

7. Abiding in Christ – No Shame (1 John 2:28; John 15:1–5)

“…abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28).
Abiding is the secret of fruitfulness. A branch separated from the vine withers, but the abiding believer bears much fruit (John 15:5). To remain in Christ is to remain safe, fruitful, and confident, awaiting His return without shame.
Those who live carelessly may be ashamed at His appearing (Matthew 25:1–12), but those who remain steadfast in Him will rejoice.

8. God’s Restoration – No Shame (Joel 2:25–26; Psalm 125:1–2)

Joel ties the promise of “no shame” with divine restoration: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…” (Joel 2:25).
The shame of barrenness, loss, or judgment is replaced with the joy of abundance. Just as God reversed Israel’s devastation by the locusts (Exodus 10:5), He restores wasted years in the lives of His people.
Thus, His people “shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever” (Psalm 125:1).

Conclusion: The Eternal Security of God’s People

God’s declaration in Joel 2:26 is not empty poetry but eternal truth. His people, who:
• Look to Him in prayer,
• Wait upon Him in faith,
• Walk in His commandments,
• Keep a sound heart,
• Believe in Christ,
• Suffer for the Gospel without fear,
• Abide in Christ,
• And trust in His restoring power—
shall never be ashamed. Shame belongs to the ungodly who reject Him (Daniel 12:2), but the righteous shall shine with everlasting honor. Therefore let us hold fast to this promise with boldness: “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever” (Psalm 125:1–2). Amen! Hallelujah!! !!!
His people shall never be ashamed. Hallelujah! Amen.

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.

The Father's Good Gifts: Trusting Beyond Stones and Serpents

The passage from Matthew 7:7-11 forms the bedrock of this teaching: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?!" (KJV) So why the disillusionment?

It often stems from two extremes:
Vagueness in our petitions—offering general prayers with no clarity or depth, while expecting precise answers.
Sanctimonious surrender—feigned neutrality that masks fear and unbelief, pretending to be okay with anything, while inwardly nursing frustration.
This scripture is a cornerstone of understanding the nature of God as Father and the posture we should adopt in prayer. The vivid analogy presented—imagining being served stones instead of bread, or venomous snakes instead of nourishing fish—highlights a profound spiritual truth and corrects a common, often subconscious, misconception in our relationship with God.

1. The Core Analogy: God's Goodness vs. Our Fear
Jesus uses a powerful rhetorical argument (an a fortiori argument – "how much more"). He appeals to basic human parental instinct: even flawed, sinful ("evil") human parents desire to provide good, necessary things for their children. No loving earthly father would mock his child's hunger with a stone or endanger him with a serpent when asked for essential food.
The "Serpents for Supper" concept captures the dreadful absurdity of imagining God doing exactly that. It describes the spiritual pitfall where believers, despite intellectually acknowledging God's goodness, approach Him with underlying fear, suspicion, or a resignation to disappointment. We might:
• Project human failings onto God: Because earthly relationships can be sources of pain, betrayal, or unmet needs, we subconsciously fear God might operate similarly.
• Misinterpret hardship: When difficulties arise after prayer, we might quickly conclude, "God must have sent this 'stone' or 'serpent' instead of the 'bread' or 'fish' I asked for." This attributes malice or indifference to God, contradicting His revealed nature.
• Engage in false piety: Sometimes, a believer might adopt a posture of "whatever You will, Lord," which sounds submissive but masks a fear of asking for specifics, lest they be disappointed or appear demanding. This "contrived neutrality" distrusts God's willingness to engage with our genuine, specific needs and desires when they align with His kingdom.

2. The Character of the Father: The Foundation of Trust
The critical point Jesus makes is the infinite goodness and reliability of our Heavenly Father. He isn't just like a good human parent; He is the perfect standard of fatherhood, infinitely surpassing even the best earthly examples. His very nature is love (1 John 4:8) and goodness (Psalm 34:8). Therefore, the idea that He would respond to a sincere request for a "good thing" (spiritual nourishment, guidance, grace, provision aligned with His will) with something harmful or useless (a "stone" or "serpent") is contrary to His fundamental character.

3. The Invitation to Ask, Seek, Knock: Childlike Confidence
Jesus doesn't just reveal the Father's nature; He issues an invitation: "Ask, seek, knock." This implies:
• Relationship: Prayer is a dialogue within a secure relationship, like a child approaching a loving parent.
• Confidence: We are encouraged to come boldly (Hebrews 4:16), not timidly or suspiciously.
• Specificity and Honesty: Children naturally ask for what they want or need specifically. While our requests must always be submitted to God's wisdom and ultimate will ("Your kingdom come, Your will be done"), Jesus doesn't condemn specific requests. Asking for "bread" or "fish" is specific. The original text rightly encourages honesty about our needs and desires (e.g., specific grace, details in a home, qualities in a spouse), provided our hearts are aligned with God's purposes ("affections set on things above," Colossians 3:1-2) and our requests have scriptural warrant (they align with God's revealed will and character). God desires relationship, not robotic, fearful subservience.

4. Discerning God's Answers: Beyond Superficial Appearances
This is where spiritual wisdom is crucial. Life involves trials, challenges, and unanswered prayers as we perceive them. How do we reconcile this with Matthew 7:11?
• God's "Good Things" are Truly Good: God promises "good things." These are things that are ultimately beneficial for our spiritual growth, relationship with Him, and His kingdom purposes. This might not always align with our immediate comfort or definition of "good."
• Distinguishing Trials from Divine Malice: God may allow trials (James 1:2-4) or discipline us out of love (Hebrews 12:5-11), but this is fundamentally different from answering a child's request for necessary food with a harmful snake. God works in and through difficult circumstances for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28), but He doesn't substitute evil for good in direct answer to a righteous request.
• The Need for Discernment: When we receive something unexpected or difficult after prayer, we shouldn't automatically assume "God sent this stone." Instead, we should:

Check our Request: Was it aligned with God's Word and character? Was our motive pure (James 4:3)?
Examine God's Character: Does this outcome reflect the loving Father revealed in Scripture? Or does it feel like a "serpent"?
Seek Wisdom: Pray for understanding (James 1:5). Consult Scripture. Seek counsel from mature believers.
Trust His Ultimate Goodness: Even when we don't understand the specifics, we hold fast to the truth that our Father is good and gives good gifts. The answer might be "no," "wait," or something different that is ultimately better, but it won't be the spiritual equivalent of a stone or a serpent.

Furthermore, we are not more spiritual by pretending we have no preferences. God created us with desires and individuality, and He invites us to commune with Him as sons, not slaves. Provided our hearts are set on His kingdom and our requests are aligned with His revealed will in Scripture, we can boldly and specifically ask. Let this be the pattern of our prayer: specific requests, scriptural validation, and childlike trust. And if ever the answer seems off, let us not walk away in silence and sorrow—let us go back to the Father, check again, and listen more closely.
The concept of "Serpents for Supper" serves as a stark warning against approaching God with suspicion born from fear or misinterpreting hardship as divine malice in response to prayer. Profound biblical teaching, centered on Matthew 7:7-11, calls us to a radically trusting faith. We approach a Father of perfect goodness, wisdom, and love, who delights in giving "good things" to His children. We are invited to ask with childlike confidence and specificity, aligning our desires with His kingdom.
If you're praying for grace, define the area and the depth. If it's a home, describe what you believe He is leading you to. If it's a spouse, articulate the godly qualities you hope to find. This is not carnality—it is covenant faith grounded in trust.
When answers come, measure them not by fear or superficial appearances but by the Word. Did I ask God for this? Does this reflect His nature? Would a good Father serve this to a trusting child? Let us reject the lie that negative realities are somehow ‘holy’ answers to hopeful requests. Our God is not in the business of mockery. If we, frail and fallen, know not to trick our children with a snake when they ask for food, how much more the One who is Light and in whom there is no darkness at all?
While we must discern His answers wisely, we can rest assured that when we ask for the bread of life and sustenance for our journey, our Heavenly Father will never mock our need by serving us stones or endanger our souls by offering serpents for supper. He gives life, nourishment, and grace, according to His perfect will and infinite love.

© 2025 Green Olives Christian Books. All rights reserved.