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Day 45: Shame, Repentance and the God that Forgives (Bonus Lesson 7)

When man sinned in the garden of Eden, the first thing we see him do was to hide from God. The Bible says in Genesis 3:8:

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 tells us the contrast between godly and worldly sorrow is their resultant action and end.

Worldly sorrow births shame, characterized by the desire to hide and not be seen. The more shame takes root, the more the desire to hide sin grows, and the conscience gradually becomes dull. Sin is darkness, so it grows when it is hidden. As darkness must be exposed to light, sin must be exposed to light. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13:

“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. ”

One of the best examples of worldly sorrow in the Bible, shame, and its outcome is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. After Jesus' death, he was filled with so much sorrow and shame he took his own life.

Godly sorrow, however, leads us to God. It's fueled by a deep-seated desire to be reconciled with God. It's when the desire to make up with God supersedes shame. So instead of running from God, a man with godly sorrow runs to Him instead. Godly sorrow results in genuine repentance.

The best example of repentance is David. Every time David sinned, he would run to God. When he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah, God sent Nathan the prophet to tell him the consequence of his actions. David in response started a fast. Praying night and day, seeking God's face.

Why was David so inclined to confidently run to God in such times? In 2 Samuel 24 when he offended the Lord and He asked him to pick one of three outcomes to atone for his error: famine, to be delivered to his enemies, or a plague from the Lord. David said in 2 Samuel 24:14:

“...I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

Many fall for the devil's whispers of condemnation after a sinful act because they do not know the God who offers us forgiveness. How you receive forgiveness is steeped on how much and what you know about the One who offers it. The God who offers forgiveness is according to David merciful.

When it comes alive in our hearts the knowledge of God's unconditional, untiring, and unfailing love, we will run to Him in times of weakness instead of away from Him. The devil propagates his lies on our ignorance or lack of enough knowledge of God's person and mercy.

Shame from sin and errors is rooted in fear of rejection and consequences.

David says in Psalm 51:17 (AMPC):

“My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.”

And Romans 5:8 says:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The One who offers forgiveness will never turn away a repentant heart. The One who offers forgiveness loves you enough, He paid for all past, present and future errors with His blood. 

Hebrews 4 lets us know there is nothing we will go through on earth that our Beloved Jesus, our compassionate High Priest did not go through. Though He did not sin on earth, He experienced shame on the cross. He felt the pain of being separated from God. 

He does not just give mercy for errors, He gives the grace to help you through. So I charge you today with the sixteenth verse of Hebrews 4 in the Message Translation:

“...walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”


PRAY WITH ME:
Thank you, God, for your unfailing love and mercy. Thank you for your arms are always open to receive me whenever I come to you. I boldly ask for mercy for my errors, I boldly receive forgiveness and obtain grace to walk blameless before you. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • One simple way to reassure yourself of God's love and mercy and be rooted in His knowledge is to meditate on and confess it daily. So, today, look through the Bible and pick scriptures on God's love and mercy to put on your lips each day.
  • Every time the devil tempts you with thoughts of condemnation, remember you have no reason to be ashamed. You can shut Him up by confessing scriptures on God's love, forgiveness, and unending mercy.












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