BEAUTY OR SHAME< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Psalm 90, 97

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 97:7 ÒLet all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods.Ó Shame belongs to those who serve outside of the living God. Being put to shame or living in shame is not a life for the children of God. Shame is a direct result of failure, destruction, deprivation, degradation and every humiliating situation that one can think of. The Psalmist was requesting that all be put into shame who serve carved images and who boast of idols. Serving outside of the one and only Creator, the Most High God is not a place to be. As shame belongs to those who are serving idols, so beauty is what belongs to those who are serving the Most High God.

The Psalmist also pointed out in Psalm 90:17, ÒAnd let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.Ó The difference is clear. Beauty of God is blessing of God. When you serve Him in deed and in truth, His beauty will be the end result. It is clearly spelled out by the Psalmist that when the beauty of the Lord comes upon a believer, that believer is set to be established for His glory. The Words of the Bible are neither fairy tale nor fiction. The purpose of the Word is here in 2Timothy < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>3:16, ÒAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.Ó If you will be purposeful by taking the Word of God as a living oracle, you will not end up in shame, but rather you will end up under the beauty of the Lord while overcoming challenges that come your way.