Overcoming Shame

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1 NIV)

Psalm 51 is a famous prayer of King David’s. The director’s notes tell us David penned this after his sinful tryst with the forbidden Bathsheba, after his conspiring for Uriah’s potential demise and after his eventual premeditated murder of another woman’s husband. When we recall that Uriah was one of David’s trusted mighty men, we realize anew the depths of David’s depravity. God had forgiven David, but his trespasses still haunted him. He said as much:

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3 NIV)

David’s struggle to move past his iniquities is common. Teenagers tend to be more transparent with their feelings than adults and over the years I’ve heard many teenagers say “I know God forgive me, but I can’t seem to forgive myself.” Recognize the tactic of the enemy here: if he can’t keep you mired in sin, he’ll surely try to keep you mired in shame. Shame is almost as powerful as trespass. The enemy would love nothing more than to get you stuck, paralyzed by the playback tapes of past poor decisions, unable to move forward in God’s purpose.

David identified and addressed this potential soul atrophy. He reminded himself:

“Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)

David recalled God’s ability to restore and recreate. He recognized God’s miraculous redemption process within his own frame and he chose to cooperate with it.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:11-13 NIV)

David’s cries were highly personal: he begged God to rebuild what his sin had torn down. And then he committed to teach others from his failure. Perhaps the hardest thing we can do post-sin is let others in on our foundering. We typically remain silent about our sin because the thought of publicly sharing our transgression is far too intimidating; shame inducing.

Yet David figured out the truth about confessed sin. When sin is exposed, it loses it’s power. What’s more; David learned that his testimony had even greater power than his sin ever did. His sin could destroy his lineage and his soul, but his testimony could save other sinners. David realized, his story partnered with God’s glory could light the way Home for other lost people.

“Then I will teach transgressors Your way, so that sinners will turn back to You.” (Psalm 51:13 NIV)

David refused to let shame shut up his testimony. He told his story for the sake of sinners. Shame had lost it’s grip on him and heaven took hold of his voice.

“Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare Your praise… My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise.” (Psalm 51:15,17 NIV)

David humbly offered his personal story of temptation, transgression, repentance and restoration to a hurting world. His truth about God’s intervention stood out as a beacon of hope for others still lost at sea. Telling his story kept him humble and kept him holy. David served God until the very end.

Our testimony of failure plus grace is how we build the Kingdom. This is why we must overcome the spiral of shame and share what God has done. Our lives prove His graciousness toward sorry sinners. There is someone in your circle of influence who still needs to hear your story.

Lord, please help us have the courage to confess our sin and receive Your grace. Holy Spirit, prod us to share the worst and best parts of our story. The worst? We are sinners. The best? Saved by grace. Keep us from getting stuck in the past tapes of shame. Open our mouths, spill our story and ignite it for Kingdom’s sake. Nothing in our life is off-limits to Your purpose. Amen.

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