“DO NOT FEAR, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.” Isaiah 54:4 The prophet Isaiah looks ahead to a time when Israel would “forget the shame of her youth”.
When God’s people were brought out of Egypt with the mighty hand of the Almighty God and into a land flowing with milk and honey, He suffered long with a rebellious and stiff necked people. Isaiah proclaims there was coming a day when God would forget the reproach of His people’s widowhood; when because of their rebellion, He sent them into a 70 year captivity.
One day, Isaiah prophesies, God would completely wash away men’s sins and their shame. He would live in His people, redeeming a peculiar people to Himself. Isaiah looks into the future when the coming Messiah would translate a people out of the slavery of the world and the devil’s grip and into His glorious kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. To make a people who were not His people into a holy church, and prepare them for His kingdom rule. “For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.” v.5
Christ is the Holy One of Israel, the Mediator of the covenant made with the Old Testament church. Long had He been called the God of Israel; but now He shall be called the God of the whole earth. And He will cleanse from sin, and cause every true believer to rejoice in this sacred union. No more guilt and no more shame! In Christ, there is a complete and an absolute washing away of the past: past actions and past mistakes, past words and thoughts. It is all under the blood of the Lamb.
If you are in Christ, have you forgotten the shame of your youth? He has. Shame will destroy you, if you let it. Shame eats away like a cancer, creeping it’s way into every cell and the marrow of your bones until you are finally consumed by it. People ask me often, “How do I let the shame go?” There’s no magical formula or hidden system. Nowadays, everyone wants a program. Here it is: you have faith in Christ. You trust in His Word. You rely on His blood. You obey Him when He says, “Do not fear”. I have nothing else to stand on. I have much in my past to be ashamed of, but God redeemed me from my past. He brought me out of Egypt and restored my life.
I stand on the solid Rock of my Redemption. I did not deserve it, but He gave me mercy. I may not always “feel” forgiven, but I don’t live by my feelings. I affirm the apostle Paul’s words, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”” Galatians 2:20-21 Paul killed Christians back in Egypt! But God brought him out and he lived redeemed, thankful and humbly in His grace. We can never admire enough this mercy, or duly value this privilege. Just live grateful and receive this grace that’s been extended and humbly live in its richness. Shame will not have control over you. Leave it under the blood and live forgiven. #runyourrace
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