Radiant Countenance

This is my online devotional posted today
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.Psalm 34:5
Many years ago I spoke at a women’s retreat. Afterwards a young woman came up and asked me to pray for her. She was so ashamed because of what had happened to her, that she couldn’t look up.After I took her through heart forgiveness for those who had molested her, she clung to me weeping. Then with tears streaming down her face, she said, “You are the first person I could ever look in the eyes. I don’t even look at my husband in the eyes. Now I can!”

I love the first part of Isaiah 54:4. It says, “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth…”What has happened in your life that keeps you downcast? Nothing is in vain in God’s economy. He will redeem everything we have ever been through. It starts with heart forgiveness. He then sets us free from the deeply buried emotional pain that has held us captive.

David’s psalm is our promise also. When we look to the Lord, he brings inner transformation. He heals those deep places of buried pain through his healing balm of mercy and grace.Oh Father, thank you for your healing power that takes away the darkness of shame, and brings radiance to our faces. Thank you for your redemptive power to use what we have been through to help others. I am so grateful for your unconditional love for us.

Throughout this day: When shame rises from a memory in your past, remember that God’s forgiveness is for past, present, and future sins. Let this song help remind you: Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)