God's Honour for Our ShameSýnishorn

We have reached the last day of this devotional. You may still wonder–what if you still feel shame? How does God ask that we live in response to it?

The undoing of our own feeling of shame may take time, but God welcomes us into a relationship with him that both restores our honour and the honour of others. God invites us to do these things:

1. Entrust God with Your Story
Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth, and like others we have read about, this man faced incredible shame (John 9:1-41). After his encounter with Jesus, He spoke about his healing; he testified about the power of Jesus and the truth he could now see. For this, the man was expelled from the temple. He suffered shame at the hands of religious leaders.

When feelings of shame cause us to seek God, they can actually be helpful, but shame was never meant to be used by people to control one another. God established his Kingdom for all to find forgiveness, transformation, and belonging. Jesus demonstrated this by giving the man who was blind an invitation into relationship with Him. This was a new and better way to find belonging with God than the temple ever was!

God may not choose to change all of your circumstances, but He will change the direction of your story and the honour you find within it as you walk with Him. When we stop hiding our shame and allow God and others into it, there can be restoration.

2. Honour God
How did Hannah respond when God removed the shame of childlessness? (1 Samuel 1). How did King David respond when after repentance for his shameful sin, He was forgiven and restored? How did Hagar, a forgotten slave rejected by her master, respond when she found honour in God’s eyes? Each of them gave honour to God when their own honour was restored. This reminds us of where true honour resides and is a signpost to others looking for restoration.

3. Honour Others
Scripture isn’t shy about God’s intention that we show honour to others—both inside the church and without! Romans 12:10 is very clear—show honour to others! Some versions even say, “outdo one another in showing honour.” That is one of the missions of the Church! It is one way we embody the gospel and tell the truth about who God is. It is our privilege as well as an act of obedience. Giving honour away is counter-cultural, where people compete for the top spot. Because of this, it puts the generosity and abundance of God on display! Our time, money, and actions can all build honour as we reach out to tell someone, ‘you are God’s child,’ and ‘you are worthy.’ How can you show honour and love to those inside and outside the church, at home, and worldwide? What step is next for you?

Pray and ask God to allow you to find a place of honour in his Kingdom and guide you as you seek to honour others.

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