shame, Name, and fame

Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Psalm 83:16

When God judges the wicked it is meant to draw them to recognize the power, authority, and glory of His name. It is a work of God to make Himself known so that wicked sinners opposed to God might repent and turn to Him. He shows His rule by disgracing and showing wicked humanity His power so that people might repent and believe in Him.

There is one outstanding Old Testament example of this: Ninevah under the warning sermon of Jonah. God had plans to shame Ninevah… to destroy the city and thus the empire. Jonah walked through the city reluctantly proclaiming God’s warning. And Ninevah sought God’s name. The city repented, acknowledged God’s authority from palace to stable, and sorrowed over sin. God saw it and chose to be merciful to them. God will shame sinners so that they might seek Him.

Lord with all authority over everything,

You rule the nations of this earth. Even now would You bring fame to Your name by judging with shame? Shine Your gospel light through the proclamation and lives of Your church to expose wrong, destroy the works of evil, shame the wicked, and show Your glory. Bring this wicked and rebellious planet, people group by people group, enemy by enemy, city by city, to the shame of their sin and to repentance we pray! May the shamed seek Your name!

Amen