No more shame

Lectio from Joel 2:27-3:1a

“You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel I am the Lord, your God, and there is not other; My people shall never more be put to shame. Then afterward, I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall Prophesy.”

You shall know – I am

There is no other

Pour out my Spirit

We are given a promise, that we “shall never more be put to shame.” This will happen when we know God, not in some superficial way, but in a deep, interior, personal way. The more we come to know God in this way the less we are inclined to act in ways that would cause us to feel shame.

This knowledge of God increases over time and as His grace leaves less room for shame he creates more room for the outpouring of the Spirit’s grace. We are assured of this. The scripture doesn’t say “if you know God” or “when you know God” these things will happen. It says you SHALL know God. It’s a promise. God will do it. We need to cooperate.