Never again will my people be shamed

Joel 2:21-28 Never again will my people be shamed
When we live in the foreign country, we sometimes are embarrassed and shamed because of the difference of language, culture and law. Especially when we are treated lightly by others because of racial discrimination, we think, "Oh, this is Canada not Korea ! If I were in Korea, I would not be shamed or humiliated !"
In Korea, people sometimes are shamed if they have no money, no good car, no good job, no good academic career. But in Canada, it is no shame even if they have no money, no good car, no good job, no good academic career. That's one of the reasons that some Koreans immigrate into Canada.
But think. Canada is not the kingdom of heaven but the earthly place where the earthly people live together, so that we sometimes are shamed unexpectedly. Years ago, I went to a high-class restaurant with other men and a woman. The waiter led us the table and we sat down. But the waiter looked at us in a strange way. But we did not know why he gave us an odd look.
Then the woman who was with us realized the atmosphere and said to the waiter, "It's okay. It's Korean tradition. They have just come from Korea." Then the waiter made the expression, "Oh, I understand !"
But we(men) did not know why they said like that. Then the woman said to us(men), "In Canada, it is against etiquette that men sit down before women take a seat. But it is okay. We are Koreans." When we heard that, we(men) felt ashamed and smiled a bitter smile.
Brothers and sisters, when we live in this world, we sometimes are shamed in Korea, in Canada and even in the church. That's why some people do not want to have relation with others but only with computer and TV. Or they try to hide their shame.
Brothers and sisters, when we are shamed, we feel bad and unhappy, we lose interest in life. In Korea, senior school students feel ashamed when they fail in the entrance exam for college. So they sometimes commit suicide. Small shame sometimes leads us to unhappiness and destruction. So today let's study about shame and let's overcome shame.
When humans were created by God first, there was no shame in the garden of Eden. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed the words of God and followed Satan, shame came into the garden. That is, when humans sinned, shame came into the garden with sins and shame has been trying to lead humans to unhappiness and destruction.
People has been trying to hide their shame with religions, with ethics, with hypocrisy and with excuses just like Adam and Eve tried to hide their shame with fig leaves. But their shame han been exposed. God knew that Adam and Eve could not hide their shame with fig leaves. So God made garments of skin for them, which symbolizes Jesus the lamb of God. (Gen 3:21) That is, God is the God who hides our shame. If God does not hide our shame, we lose our human appearance, and this world falls into confusion and chaos.
The one of the privilege that we believe in God is that God hides our shame and transgressions. Therefore King David confessed, "Blessed is he, whose transgression are forgiven, whose sins are covered." (Psalms 32:1) And the Psalmist prayed, "In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame." (Psalms 71:1) "Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I have cried out to you." (Psalms 31:17)
Few days ago, I had a dream that I was put to shame before others. After the dream, I prayed like the psalmist, "God, hide my shame. Don't let your servant be put to shame before others." And I tried to seek for the answer of God in the bible.
Isaiah 54:4-5 says, "Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace ; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband- the Lord Almighty is his name- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer." And today's scripture says, "Never again will my people be shamed."
Brother and sisters, God wants us to be happy. God never wants us to be shamed and humiliated before others. God sent us Jesus in order not to expose our shame and sins before others but to hide our shame and transgressions. So if we come to Jesus, our shame is covered. And our shameful life turns into glorious life. Shameful family (nation) turns into glorious family (nation). But if we forsake Jesus, our life (family, nation) will be shamed and humiliated.
As for this, the bible says, "O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame." (Jer 17:13) "May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame." (Psalms 129:5)
Brothers and sisters, we love God and his commandments. Therefore we will never be put to shame. God wants to save us from the pit of shame. And he wants us to be glorified. He tells us not to do such and such things in order not to be shamed.
Isaiah 5:21 says, "Put on your garments of splendor." It means, "Take off the garment of shame. Forget the shameful old memory when you were in slavery in Egypt. And put on the clean and glorious garments of the children of God. And shout, 'The old has gone, the new has come !' (2 Cor 5:17) And pray, "Lord, remove our shame and let us be glorified."
Today's scripture says to us, "Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain ; The vats will overflow with new wine and oil. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you ; never again will my people be shamed." (Joel 2:23-24, 26)
Brothers and sisters, I pray that our life will be the life of glory not the life of shame. And I pray that our families, our nation and our church will be full of the glory of God. And I hope that even the shame of other people will be removed through us. Amen !