“Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD…That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.” (Ps 83:16, 18 AV)
That’s a pretty brave thing to pray. But if the saint of God was brought to humility prior to salvation, then it is a moral obligation to pray the same for others. The writer laments the effect of the wicked on God’s creation and His people. He is speaking as someone who leads a nation. This is not a prayer for the spiritual salvation of his enemies. Rather, it is a prayer for a nation tormented by God-haters. The Psalmist is praying for the coming of the Messiah. He is praying that the LORD would conclude that God is God, and He is in the person of the LORD Jesus Christ – the Messiah of the Jewish people. Yet, there is an application for the New Testament Church. Our motive and goals may be different. But the process is still the same. We want the wicked world to turn from their wickedness and trust in Jesus Christ as both LORD and Savior. But the only way that is going to happen is if the wicked come under condemnation for their sins. This is the shame of which our Psalmist speaks. So, this is a pretty brave for the church to pray. We are asking that the LORD send conviction and shame of face to the lost so that they might know there is salvation in Christ.
We don’t feel qualified because we think such a prayer is self-righteous. Not so. If we also came from where they are, then it becomes a prayer of mercy. Knowing the damage sin does to the life of the sinner and all whom he or she touches gives us cause for such a prayer. Note the psalmist asks for more than mere shame. He asks for shame that drives the wicked to seek the name of God. He is asking that the wicked be so filled with the guilt of their works that God becomes their only source of peace. The same is true for our prayers. We don’t ask so that our sense of justice might be satisfied. We do not ask so that revenge might come. There are times and places for such a prayer. But not here. Here, we pray for shame on the lives of those who hate God that they might repent of their sin and call upon His name.
Recently, I have been reminded of the sinful condition of mankind more so that I have ever been before. Our Creator brought forth every soul to redeem him or her, and that He might be known by them. He loves each and every soul regardless if they love in return. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to give His life that we might become a child of His. By adoption we have been added to His family. Yet, the vast majority of people will reject the free gift of salvation. Why? Because there is no shame. There is no shame over sin. Right and wrong have become a definition from the heart of the sinner. He or she does not feel shame because God is not considered. It is perilous at best. A tragedy of infinite proportions. That the vast majority of mankind will burn in eternal hellfire is a truth that can drive to madness the saint who cares. What is our answer? Pray for shame. Pray for conviction. Pray that the work of the Holy Spirit be not abated so that glorious message of divine forgiveness can shine forth from the pages of God’s word. Please, fellow believer, pray for shame. Not that we are any better than those upon whom we pray it, but rather, because we cannot bear the thought of one day in hell that they might suffer.
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