Heavenly Father, on this magnificent Sunday in August, drive the beauty and hope of these Scriptures deep into our hearts. Because, to a painful degree, shame has marked and marred all of us. Heal and free us, by the power, truth, and riches of the gospel.
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth.” Isa. 54:4 (ESV)
The eradication of all shame is one of the most awesome realities about our coming life in the new heaven and new earth. Never again will we feel “dis-graced,” only fully-graced. Never again will we remember the shaming events of our childhood, youth, or adult years. Never again will we hide, pretend, or medicate. Hallelujah!
The Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Rom. 10:11 (ESV)
We have this heart-liberating hope, because Jesus bore the full weight of our guilt and broke the power of our shame. To believe in Jesus is to trust in the One who was shamed for us on the cross—the One who doesn’t despise our weaknesses, failures, or insecurities. Nor does he turn away from us when we feel fractured or fragile, painfully self-aware or the weight of self-contempt. Indeed, Jesus has clothed our vulnerable nakedness with the garments of his grace. Hallelujah!
Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Rom. 5:5 (ESV)
Father, thank you that the promise of a shame-free eternity isn’t self-hype; it’s a sure hope. As we wait for the Day of no more shame, we now live in the day of your lavish love and perpetual delight. You poured your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and you’ll continue to do so. May the voice of the Spirit, witnessing to our beloved-ness, drown out all other voices highlighting our not-enough-ness. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
