Freedom From ShameSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Debt spells death; and the shame of being in debt leads to death. But freedom from shame and disgrace is a miracle that the Lord is wants to perform for you today. The Lord assures us of freedom from all kinds of of bondages. He gives us freedom from shame and disgrace.
In Joel 2:27, God says, "I am the Lord your God and there is no other: My people shall never be put to shame."
The freedom from shame and disgrace is exactly the miracle that the Lord is going to perform for you and me on this wonderful day.
Once I heard a sister say tearfully, "My husband drinks too much. I am unable to bear the shame of often seeing him lying flat on the streets. We are assailed by such shame and disgrace day in and day out."
We sometimes find it a shame that our health is so often deteriorating, though God does great miracles and heals so many people listening to our prayers. In the Holy Scripture we find several devout people going through such shame.
In the Holy Scripture, we find Daniel, the chief administrator among the wise men of King Nebuchadnezzar, crying out, "0 Lord, to us belongs shame of face" (Daniel 9:7, 8). All because he has been taken away from Judea and now is a prisoner in Babylon, he says this. The nagging thought that, though he is the top administrator in Babylon, people would still look down on him and remark "0, Daniel? The one who has been brought here as a prisoner?" is too much a shame for him. He finds the 'high, but yet a prisoner' position such an unbearable shame, and that is why he exclaims that shame belongs to him and his people.
Prophet Jeremiah laments, "Why did I come forth from the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?" (Jeremiah 20:18). He is a great prophet and yet he is weighed down by sorrow, worries and shame. He is greatly depressed. And the word jeremiah literally means 'lament' in Hebrew.
When reading Psalm 69:6, we can sense the pangs of shame that the Psalmist experiences. He beseeches God, "Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me, let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, 0 God of Israel."
It is from all such shame that the Lord wants to deliver us today.
I remember a pathetic true story I once read in a newspaper. This story will help you understand how cruel a matter this 'shame' is. An honest man, keen on expanding his business, borrowed a lot of money from some people. There was hardly any progress in his business. His debt was mounting. Lenders hound him. He found it hard to bear their rude words. Mentally shattered, he told his wife, "I am deep in debt. The people who have lent me money are pressing me hard to pay back. I don't know how to clear the debt. I am unable to face these people. I have decided to commit suicide. That seems to me the only way to escape. There is no other go." She too shared in his cup of sorrow. The two were inconsolable. With tears flowing from her eyes, she said, "If you must die, then I will also consume poison and die along with you. Otherwise, how do you think I will be able to face the moneylenders?" Partners in life, they made a pact to be partners in death too. But they dragged on for a few more days. The woman told her five children about their decision to do away with their lives. The children did not want to be left behind as orphans. "After you and dad are dead, what would life have for us? We will also end our lives", the young ones determined. The fateful day arrived. There was no way out from the cruel corner that the loan sharks had them in. They locked themselves inside their house. And all the seven hung themselves to death.
Debt spells death; and the shame of being in debt leads to death. It is a sad thing that the family did not have the mental strength to face the shame. Alas! They had not known that Jesus, the Son of God, had died on the cross, suffering for them too.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, Pilate's soldiers mocked Him. And those who passed by Him blasphemed Him, wagging their heads, saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself." Likewise, the chief priests, also mocking with the scribes and elders, said, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' " Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. (Matthew 27:39-44)
Lord Jesus took all the abuses and insults without even a murmur of protest. Why? It was to traverse the painful path of curses and insults that we trudge through. So, my dear friend, keep in mind that it is to save those who are prone to destroying themselves. While traveling along this painful path, Jesus calls you to follow Him. Spend your time in worthwhile manner and share the love of Christ and share the good news that "Jesus is good; He has traversed the thorny path of shame; He has borne all our sorrows and sufferings on the cross; He has taken upon Himself all our weaknesses and ailments; and that He had sacrificed Himself in atonement for our sins."
Are you among those who cry out, "I am dying a thousand deaths because of shame, fear and worries. Is there a life for me? Is there salvation for me?" Don't get dispirited. Jesus will trample down and crush any shame that torments you.
The Lord promises, "Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs." (Isaiah 61:7)
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I too at times languish from disgrace and shame. Like prophet Jeremiah, I too languish and feel shameful about various things. Lord, You took all the curses, pains, trials and tribulations on Yourself. Help me to seek You while I am assailed by trials in my life. Strengthen me to bear them patiently for Your glory. Lord, release me from all the bondages that surround me. Forgive my failures and shortcomings and deliver me from all sin. May Your name be glorified always. In Jesus' matchless name, I pray.
Amen. |