Joel Osteen Devotional June 19 2021 – Shame Be Gone

Joshua 5:9, NIV

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

In today’s Scripture, a “reproach” means “shame, blame, disgrace.” For over four hundred years the Israelites had been in Egyptian slavery. They were not just physically beaten down, but over time they allowed the emotional abuse to steal their sense of value. As they were about to enter the Promised Land, they couldn’t go in with the sense of shame, feeling unworthy and not valuable. God had to roll away the reproach.

In the same way, you may be carrying a heavy load of guilt and shame due to past mistakes, failures, or even things that weren’t your fault. Before you can reach your highest potential, you have to get rid of the shame. Whatever your Egypt is–a divorce, a bad habit, someone you hurt, someone who abused you–God is saying, “Today, I am rolling away the reproach, the shame, the guilt.” When thoughts come saying, “Shame on you,” answer right back, “Shame off me. I’ve been forgiven and restored. God doesn’t remember it, so I’m not going to remember it.”

Father, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, and You roll back the reproach of guilt and shame over my past. Thank You that the moment I ask You to forgive me, You not only forgive but You forget it. I believe I am forgiven and declare shame off me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.