SET FREE FROM SHAME
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:8-13 (NLT)
You’re cruising down the interstate, running a little behind. You can’t afford to be late, so you’re going a little over the speed limit. Everyone does it, so what’s the big deal, right? Then you come around the corner, and there he is. The cleverly parked State Trooper who could see you coming who you couldn’t see at all. Those blue lights go on, and your heart sinks. It’s not fair! He was just waiting to bust me—why did it have to be me and not any other offenders?
If the above scenario rings true, first of all, I’m sorry for dredging that up. Second, you’re not alone. Third—this is not how God operates. But unfortunately, somewhere along the way, we’ve allowed this image of God as some cosmic patrol officer to settle into our minds. He’s just a list of “thou shalt nots” waiting to bust, shame and punish you when you mess up.
Look again at how David describes our Heavenly Father in Psalm 103. Compassionate. Merciful. Slow to anger. Filled with unfailing love. Gentle with us. Fatherly. Tender. Paul tells us in Romans 8:31 that God is for us, not against us. He’s not hoping to catch you stumbling; He’s your advocate!
We said this a few weeks ago in these devotions, but it bears repeating here because we’re a forgetful people: shame never comes from God. Shame distorts our identity, reducing us to our worst moments. Holy Spirit conviction and discipline are good and necessary—it’s how He leads us into growth. But shame is not the same. It’s a lie that comes from the enemy, the father of lies. In the name of Jesus, reject that lie. Psalm 103:12 tells us that He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. That’s a poetic way of saying that they’re completely gone. In Christ, we can experience forgiveness and restoration. He stands willing and ready to grant these to us—will we allow ourselves to receive them?
APPLICATION: What lies are you believing about who you are? Remember— you’re more than the sum of your worst decisions. Reject the shame of the enemy. Ask God to convict and lead you, but remind you that your identity is in Him.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the love, mercy, compassion and tenderness You treat me with. I don’t deserve it, but You’re a gracious God. Help me walk in the confident assurance of Your forgiveness, resisting the accuser's shame. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?