What does it mean for a loved child of God to wear ‘the mantle of shame’? (Ps89:45) We live in a world that beats down our identity and threatens us. In our insecurity we accuse the world of doing this, but the Psalmist points to the Lord–
‘YOU have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins.’ (Ps89:40)
When we build up ‘Self Image’ we develop a destructive conceit the Lord challenges–
‘YOU put an end to his splendour and cast his throne to the ground’ (Ps89:44)
Do we have faith to acknowledge the reality God has us in- a church in disrepute where even leaders act in shameful ways? In past decades the Church presented itself as spotless. Now, when problems are evident, do we polish our image grasping for the once great splendour? Or can we embrace that the Lord has-
‘covered us with a mantle of shame’ (Ps89:45)
When the Lord gave me no ministry opportunities, it took courage and faith to answer the question, ‘What do you do?’ By saying, ‘Nothing beyond standing in God’s presence’. I could state this because I know the Lord values me for who I am, not for any ministry I do. Similarly, we can acknowledge this shameful place the Lord has us in when we are ready to believe that our value to Him is as His loved children, rather than the exterior image of our witness. Which do we value, the world’s view of us or God’s view?
The original Bible Study can be found here – Mantle of Shame