HE TOOK OUR SHAME
Shame is often wielded as a weapon to induce submission. People do shameful things because something dirty happened to them. Unable to remove the shame, they wrongly think they deserve to be treated shamefully and worthless. No one should be made to feel unworthy of love.
This is heavy stuff that brings tears to my eyes even thinking about shame. So many young people grow in generational shame. Poverty can breed shameful behaviors that become normalized. Prostitution, stealing, drug dealing, murder and mayhem are accepted in impoverished cultures. The only shame for a gangster sent to kill someone is if he doesn't finish the job. Young girls and boys are indoctrinated into shameful behaviors as they're expected to carry on the family traditions.
Deep down inside they know what they're doing is wrong, but they hide the shame even deeper in their hearts. Jesus really is the only answer, but how will they know if we don't reach out and tell them? God has helped me to write some songs over the years that reach young people in a language they understand. The song you will read in Deep Thoughts below is about Jesus being our Garbage Man. The point of the song being that He's already removed all of our guilt and shame.
Shame entered the world through Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God and tried to hide their shame under fig leaves. God sees all of our shame and made a way for us to remove shame. Know that you are loved. Know that you are worthy. Know that Jesus took all of your shame to the cross. He loves you with an everlasting love. He was willing to die in shame so that we don't have to. Ask Jesus to remove your shame and He will.
DAY 18 WORD
I prayed,
“My God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to you.
I am in disgrace because our sins are so many they are higher than our heads.
Our sins even reach up to the sky.
Ezra 9:6 ICB
He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
Isaiah 53:3 AMPC
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 AMPC
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC
DAY 18 PRAYER
Thank You God for sending Your Son to take our shame of sin away. Jesus, You endured our shame and guilt in a horrible way. We don't have to spend another day wallowing in shame and self pity. You've freed us from all shame. Help us now to embrace tat freedom and share with others the good news about living a shame free life.
Amen.
DAY 18 DEEP THOUGHTS
A song called: "Jesus Is My Garbage Man"
Jesus is my garbage man.
Taken' my garbage like only He can.
All my wrongs He takes away.
Jesus gave me a brand new day.
On His Cross He took my shame.
In His hands He took my blame.
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' my garbage like only He can!
Jesus......All my pleas in His ears.
Jesus.....Wipes away all of my tears.
Jesus.....Loves away all of my fears.
Jesus.....A new life for all of my years.
Sometimes I'm weak and I do wrong!
He lifts me up and makes me strong!
When good times fade and I get mad!
I know I'm saved and I feel glad!
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' garbage like only He can!
I'm tellin' the world; I got good news!
Love in my words and love in my shoes!
Runnin' with Jesus on the soles of my feet!
Tellin' His Word to all the souls that I meet!
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' my garbage like only He can!
Ask Jesus to take away the garbage of shame from your life.