Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5

 

We know that through grace, Jesus frees us of the sin in our past. We know we are forgiven but sometimes our shame can become a stronghold that prevents us from truly showing the beauty of his love. This verse tells us that if we look to him our faces will never be covered with shame. Jesus will wash away not only our sin but the fruits of our sin. Remember that one of the fruits of sin is shame and in the same way that Jesus overcame sin by dying on the cross he overcame shame so that we might be pure.

As his blood washes over us and erases all signs of sin and shame a new creation begins to emerge. God promises us that we will be made as whit as snow and this verse tells us that when we look to him we will become radiant. God not only wants us to be made clean but this verse tells us he wants us to radiate because of his touch. How do we radiate his love? It comes naturally after you look to him. God shows you how you were taken from a sinful wretch into a new creature that he is slowly working inwardly to change. When God shows you how he is changing your heart and character to be more and more like Jesus' that inward transformation begins to shine through.

When you are ashamed of something you've done it's common for you to seen looking down and to have downcast eyes under a furrowed brow, it's almost as if our physical being reflects our inner focus on our past but when Jesus touches us he frees us from that. When you have an inner peace and joy brought by the holy spirit you no longer are staring down at the mess you've made, instead you are looking forward and up to what God has in store for you. Your furrowed brows and downcast eyes are able to look ahead and see the glory of God before you. You are able to freely smile and your eyes become alert as you look all around you and see how beautiful life is and how blessed you are.

God's wisdom opens our eyes to our sin, allows us to be freed from that sin, and then to appreciate all around and within us. When we have all of these this verse is true our faces no longer show a lost soul caught in shame but one that radiates the love and glory of God. Look up all around you and take heart in knowing that because of the beauty of God's working in you, you are radiant.

 

 

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Dear Lord,
We pray that you will free us from our shame. Lord forgive us for our sins and open our hearts to see the beauty of you working in us. Change the parts of us that are not good Lord. Replace them with your plan for our lives. Give us understanding of how blessed we are within and all around so that we may radiate your love. Give us knowledge of what we have found in you so that we may let that truth shine through. Prevent deceptions from the enemy from making us downcast again and assure us daily that just as you have conquered death you too can conquer the bad within us and replace it with a radiant beauty that comes only from you for you are faithful and holy. You are all-powerful and worthy. You deserve to see us radiate your glory Lord and we pray you will equip us to do that so that we might please you. In your precious name Jesus, Amen.