GOD TURNS SHAME TO GLORY.

SERIES: THE HOD WHO NEVER FAILS.

TEXT: ISAIAH 61:7

Shame is not the end of your story. When you come to Jesus Christ He rewrites your narrative. No matter how disgraceful your past has been, God has the power to turn it into a glorious testimony.

Shame is a weapon the enemy uses to make people feel unworthy, unloved and forgotten.

Shame can arise from past mistakes, failures, public ridicule or prolonged suffering.

God does not leave His children in shame. He is God who exchanges shame for glory, mockery for honor and rejection for divine acceptance.

Throughout the scripture we see how God intentionally intervenes in the lives of those who were disgraced and turned their stories around.

God’s desire is not only to lift us out of shame but to place a crown of glory upon us. He replaces ashes with beauty and sorrow with singing. Today let us explore how God turns shame to GLORY, conditions required and God’s ability to convert shame to Glory.

Let us learn:-

GOD REMOVES THE GARMENT OF SHAME.

1. God does not leave His people clothes in shame-(Isaiah 61:7).

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land and everlasting joy will be yours.”

2. Shame is a burden, but God replaces it with honor.

• The high priest Joshua, had been clothed in filthy garment, God clothed him with rich robes-(Zechariah 3:3-4).

3. God’s people are not meant to be objects of ridicule-(Joel 2:26-27).
4. Divine cleansing removes the stains of shame.

• When God washes a person, he becomes whiter than snow (Cotton wool)-(Psalm 51:7).
• The prodigal son, despite his disgrace the father clothed him with honor and celebrated his return-(Luke 15:11-24).
• He only wanted bread, he was given a feast.
• He only wanted to be a servant, he was received as a son.
• He wanted a change of clothes – He was clothed in purple linen and a ring of fellowship and restoration.
• God, is God of restoration, He restores double portion of that which was stolen, lost or destroyed.

GOD TURNS REPROACH INTO RECOGNITION.

1. Reproach is temporary: God’s glory is eternal-(Romans 8:18).

• This present suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory to come.

2. God lifts people from the pit to the palace.

• He raises the poor from the dust and seats them with the princes-(Psalm 113:7-8).

3. The Name of the Lord takes away disgrace, (Isaiah 54:4) “You shall forget the shame of your youth.”
4. God uses the rejected to manifest His glory.

• (1^st Corinthians 1:27-28)-God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.
• (1^st Samuel 1:6-20) God turned her shame of barrenness into glory with the birth of Samuel.
• Today we know Hannah’s son Samuel and none of Peninah’s children.

GOD REPLACES DISGRACE WITH DIGNITY.

1. God honors those who seek Him in their pain. Psalm 34:5, “They looked to him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed.”

• King Asa died before his time, He died of swollen feet. He died because he did not seek God concerning his disease.
• King Ahaziah, died from a simple fall. He consulted the Baal the god of Philistia instead of turning to Jehovah the God of Israel.
• God honors those who honor Him.

2. The glory of God shines best in broken vessels. 2^nd 4:7 “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.”
3. God changes the Narrative for His children-(Job 42:10)

• After Job’s shame God gave him double of what he had lost.

4. Trusting God brings honor not shame.

• Romans 10:11 “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
• Mephibosheth in (2^nd Samuel 9:1-13), Despite his shameful condition, David honored him for Jonathan’s sake.

GOD GIVES A NEW IDENTITY AND GLORY.

1. In Christ, you are a new creation. 2^nd 5:17 Old things are passed away and things become new.
2. God renames the disgraced with Names of honor. Isaiah 62:2 “You shall be called by a New Name.”
3. Glory follows when we surrender to God. 1^st Peter 5:10 After suffering God perfects and establishes us.
4. The Holy Spirit seals us for glory not disgrace-(Ephesians 1:13-14)

• We are sealed for the day of redemption.
• Jabez (1^st Chronicles 4:9-10) Though born in sorrow, God blessed him and granted him honor and enlargement.

GOD SILENCES MOCKERS WITH TESTIMONIES.

1. God uses testimonies to silence the enemies-(Psalm 126:1-3)
2. God fights for the oppressed and shamed. (Exodus 14:14) “The Lord I’ll fight for you and you shall hold your peace.”
3. Divine intervention ends long term embarrassment-(John 5:1-9)

• The man at the pool of Bethesda had waited for 38 years, but God lifted his reproach.
• God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies-(Psalm 23:5)
• Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist said “The Lord has taken away my reproach among men by blessing me with a child in old age”- (Luke 1:24-25)

CONCLUSION.

• If you have experienced mockery, rejection, disgrace, or failure this is your time of divine exchange.
• Your shame will be turned to honor, your ridicule will become rejoicing and your past will be covered by God’s glory.

PRAYER:-

• Father, thank you for being the lifter of my head.
• Lord, take away every garment of shame in my life.
• Every root of reproach in my family be uprooted now, In Jesus Name.
• Lord, turn my disgrace to honor in the Name of Jesus Christ.
• I reject every voice speaking shame into my destiny.
• Lord, let the glory of God cover my past and announce my future.
• Lord, By Faith I receive divine restoration for all that I have lost.
• Lord, let your glory arise and silence my mockers in Jesus Name.