The Exchange IV

Isa.61:⁷ “Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” (emphasis added).

God is giving you double honour for shame. Again, I say, have you experienced shame? Then, congratulations because double honour is yours, in the Name of Jesus. Scriptures reveal that God has a soft spot for people that are humiliated. There was a time when David was running from Absalom and Shimei was cursing and throwing stones at him [2 Sam.16:5-14, please read]. Abishai said to David, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” “Let me go over and cut off his head!” But David said, “Leave him alone and let him curse… And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

David understood that Jehovah cannot ignore a broken reed, a contrite heart He cannot despise. God has a soft spot for people that are humiliated. I can give you a catalogue of examples from the scripture. But stick with David and examine another from his life. David slept with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. David married Bathsheba. You know those moments when you walk into a room and everyone keeps quiet? That is probably how it was when Bathsheba came into the palace. She was the “disgrace” of the palace and of Israel. But guess what? When God wanted a king, God ignored all the other eighteen sons of David and said, “Solomon is My king; the son of this woman that has gone through shame.”

No one questions God. He is not the Sovereign Lord for nothing! So, for everywhere you have suffered shame, in the Name of Jesus, receive double honour. Isa.61:⁴ “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations…” (NIV, emphasis added). God will cause you to rebuild, restore, and renew. Now declare this aloud: “I will rebuild, I will be restored, and I will renew in the Name of Jesus”. I am here to announce to you that this beauty that is coming upon you, you will not be able to hide it. Beauty is beauty because it can be seen. God says that, “You will not cover My glory; I have given you a crown of glory, wear it! No one lights a candle and puts it under the bushel.” Anyone that cannot stomach it, that is their business – their beeswax!

DO not get me wrong, I am not saying that people should be arrogant. That is not what I am saying. I am saying that there are some things that you cannot hide. When God puts dancing in your legs, you cannot control it, that leg must dance. Your legs must dance in the Name of Jesus. God has put laughter in your mouth and that laughter must come forth, in the Name of Jesus.  People will see you dancing and wonder what is going on because only you can hear the music. In fact, when God wants to beautify someone, or crown a person, or robe a person, He puts a smile on their face. Smiling makes you beautiful. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, you will smile, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

Prayer [song]: I’m trading my sorrows; I’m trading my shame. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord. Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes – yes Lord (3x), Amen! Amen!