Redemption

Living with the weight of our past can be crippling. Take it from me, flawed and broken, that there is a significant price of our sin that takes a hefty toll internally. When I probe my heart to gauge my own emotions, the second that I connect with the remembrance of a past sin of mine shockwaves reverberate through my body with this feeling of pure sadness for letting myself stumble. And that feeling has a tendency to linger along with anger, frustration and self-resentment for the past. I suppose this is the exact way I would define shame.

First off, shame is a tactic of the devil. It is not of God. The same way it is the devil who uses temptation to get us to stumble, and then ironically he’s the one who kicks us while we’re down with the shame of doing the thing he tempted us to do! Romans 10:11 clearly reminds us, 

“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame”. 

And further illustrating the point in Isaiah 61:7,

“Instead of your shame, you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land, they shall possess double, everlasting joy shall be theirs”

There are dozens of verses in the Bible that speak to the Lord’s heart for relieving us from shame, especially because the most treasured gift paid for by the blood of Christ was our eternal forgiveness. Each morning we are given new mercy (Lamentations 3:22) which is also described as bringing us joy and honor. Only the Lord can turn such brokenness into the goodness of his glory!