NOT ASHAMED
Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952)
"They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the
days of famine they shall be satisfied" (Psalm 37:19). Of whom is this
declaration made? Of all the children of God? No, indeed. Only of those who
are truly "upright" (v. 18) in their hearts and ways. If the reader will
look up and carefully weigh Job 1:1, Psalm 37:37, Proverbs 14:11; 15:8;
29:27, it should at once be seen that the "upright" are they who walk with
God, are in subjection to God, and live only to the glory of God. The
"upright" are contrasted from those whose hearts are "divided" (Hosea
10:2)—half in Heaven, and half in the world; half occupied with God, half
wrapped in self; and with real Christians who are in a backslidden state.
Now Psalm 37:19 plainly affirms that the "upright" shall
not be ashamed in the evil time. And why? Because God is showing Himself
strong on their behalf (2 Chron. 16:9), and doing for them what He is not
doing for many others who bear His name. No good things do they lack (Psalm
84:11). Having sought first God's kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33),
their needs are being freely and abundantly met. An "evil time" has now come
upon this perishing world, and we are acquainted with quite a number who are
"not ashamed," and who can joyfully exclaim "The Lord is my Helper." On the
other hand, we are acquainted with not a few real Christians who have every
cause to be "ashamed," for their present situation brings no glory unto God.
In an "evil time" like this, the lines ought to be so
clearly drawn that even the world can discern "between him that serves God
and him that serves Him not" (Mal. 3:18). "The young lions do lack, and
suffer hunger: but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing"
(Psalm 34:10). Now let us ask our readers some plain questions. A few years
back when "times" were "good" and money was plentiful, were you "seeking the
Lord" when you bought a car for the pleasure of your family? Had you His
glory in view when you purchased an electric sweeper, electric washer,
electric refrigerator? You wish now that you had in cash the money you then
put into such extravagances. Yes, so does the worldling. But have you
confessed unto God the sin of such extravagance? And what of the silk
stockings, the "fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses" (Isaiah
3:22); and the many other luxuries which the worldlings were squandering
their money upon? What too of being conformed unto the world in its wicked
fashions: the "bobbed" hair, the short skirts, the sleeveless waists?
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man
sows, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Having sown to the flesh, why
think it strange if you are now reaping "corruption"! Perhaps some answer,
But I was liberal in giving to the Lord's cause in those days. Are you sure
it was the Lord's cause? Was the aiding in the erection of a costly "church
house," which still has a heavy debt upon it, "the Lord's cause"? Is there
no remedy? Yes, thank God, there is. "If My people, who are called by My
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their
sins, and will heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14). Ah, notice carefully what
is said in the first clause: it is not "if the people," but "if My people
shall humble themselves." How many Christians are genuinely surprised that
we have not already witnessed a marked change on the part of the masses
around us. But they need not be surprised: the "hard times" will make no
impression for good on the multitudes until God's own people humble
themselves before Him!
There is no need for the King of Great Britain or the
President of the U.S.A. to appoint a day for national humiliation, fasting
and prayer, until Christians first get right with God. What is meant by
God's people "humbling themselves?" This: getting down on their knees before
God, and owning with shame-facedness the fleshly and worldly manner in which
they lived during the years of plenty; truly repenting for and sorrowfully
confessing their covetousness, their carnality, their wastefulness. Then
there has to be a sincere forsaking in full purpose of heart any continuance
or repetition of their past Christ-dishonoring ways. Coupled with this must
be the exercise of faith: that a merciful God will hear the penitent
sobbings of a contrite heart, that He will graciously forgive, that He will
blot out even the effects of their sins, and now "heal their land"—their
present case and circumstances. Not only must the four conditions of 2
Chronicles 7:14 be met, but the three closing promises of it must be
trustfully appropriated and earnestly and persistently pleaded before God.
Reader, let not the Devil put you off by saying that you
were not guilty of such extravagance as were many of your neighbors; for
most probably you were proportionately, and according to your station in
life no more self-denying or thrifty than they. May the Lord search each of
our hearts, quicken our memories, and convict our consciences.