Shame and Sin

Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us.

We have sinned against the Lord our God, both we and our ancestors;
from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the Lord our God.

Jeremiah 3:25

Have you ever felt that way?  Have you ever just wanted to lie down in shame after sinning against the Lord?  I have many times...too many times.  I usually feel that way the most when it's after an action I knew was a sin but I did it anyway.  Instantly remorse washes over me after all is said and done, and I just want to lie down in my shame, wear it over me forever, and not ever get up again.  

I feel fear and dread.  I feel fear because God has every right to severely punish me because my sin was deliberate.  I feel dread because I think He won't forgive me since I knew it was wrong.  I feel so heavy with shame that I don't see the point of even trying to ask for forgiveness or even trying to do better the next time I'm tempted.  But then, God gently whispers in my ear, "The worst thing you could do is forget who I am."

Who is God?  God is merciful, which means FULL of MERCY.  (For the Lord your God is a merciful God...Deuteronomy 4:31)  God is COMPASSIONATE and GRACIOUS and slow to anger and ABUNDANT in LOVE.  (But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15) God is JUST and FAITHFUL and PERFECT in all His ways.  (He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4)  God is GOOD.  God is LOVE (1 John 4:8). God is FORGIVING. (The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. Daniel 9:9)

Remorse is good when it leads us to confession.  Shame is Satan's trap.  Shame tries to keep us from remembering who God is and who we are in Him.  In Him we have forgiveness of sins.  In Him we have eternal life.  In Him we have freedom from shame.  In Him we can rise up again.  No more lying down in shame.  No more believing lies.  Hear His whisper.  Feel His love wrapping around you.  Forgive yourself as Christ has already died forgiving you.  He has risen and so can you and I!