I HEARD THE LORD SAY, “I AM SHATTERING SHAME!”
The Holy Spirit recently brought to my mind the account of Mephibosheth. He has spoken to me many times about Mephibosheth’s life, and it is one that I could relate to because of childhood trauma (more on that later), but this time there was much more. I sensed strongly that what He is speaking is for many in the Body of Christ.
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, David’s covenant friend. When Mephibosheth was five years old his nurse heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle and the Philistines were taking the land. She picked up Mephibosheth to escape, but in her haste dropped him and he became lame in both feet. (2 Samuel 4:4) This trauma then defined him. In 2 Samuel 9:8 Mephibosheth speaks of himself as a dead dog, which means unclean, despised, reproached, according to the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon. We can all relate to some extent! There are childhood events and words that have defined us and played a part in forming our identity. But the King calls us to a new identity!
In 2 Samuel 9:1, King David asked a servant if there were any of the house of Saul that he could show kindness to because of his covenant with Jonathan. The servant mentioned Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. King David then had Mephibosheth brought to the palace to live there and eat at his table forever. Also, his grandfather Saul’s lands and inheritance were restored to him. (2 Sam. 9:2-13)
This is a beautiful picture of the covenant God made with Abraham and his seed forever, and the better covenant we have through the blood of Jesus. But there is much prophetic symbolism in this account that prophesies greatly!
Mephibosheth was first named Merib-baal (1 Chronicles 8:34, 9:40). It was changed at some point because 2 Samuel 4:4 is the first mention of his name being Mephibosheth. The difference is very interesting. Merib-baal means Baal is advocate or Baal contends. Baal is a pagan god, an idol. The name Mephibosheth means destroyer of shame, dispeller of shame, and exterminating idols. Strong’s Concordance also notes that it means the feeling and the condition of shame, as well as its cause; by implication, is an idol! Shame is an idol, a false god ruling our lives! God has given you a new identity in Christ Jesus! He is shattering shame and exterminating idols!
"Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2Co 5:17 NKJV)
There are multiple words for idol in the Hebrew language. One means an idol worshipped; another means rooted in fear but also means pain and sorrow! I know this to be true – when we have trauma, it can become part of our identity. It is an identity based in fear, pain and sorrow! Shattered! Exterminated!
A few of the definitions of lame are to hesitate, limp and to pass over. The Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon says it means: fell and was made limping. Backsliding comes to mind, and the accompanying shame that causes us to not walk in the fullness of what God has destined for our lives. I declare shame from past mistakes is being shattered and idols of false identity that caused us to fall away, limp along and hesitate are being exterminated!
The covenant that God has made with us through Jesus Christ trumps all shame and gives us a new name! The places where the enemy sought to break us, wound us, bring us into shame, is the place where we become overcomers through the power of the blood of Christ and the reality of His life working in and through us! We are Christ’s inheritance, God’s treasured possession!
Before Mephibosheth was summoned to his new residence in the King’s palace with all his inheritance restored to him, he was living in Lo-Debar, which means without pasture. One of the definitions of pasture is fold - home, dwelling, habitation. The root means to arrange, speak, appoint, bid, command, declare, pronounce! Mephibosheth went from no pasture - no dwelling place, no habitation - to the dwelling place of the King! King David arranged, bid, appointed, commanded, declared, and pronounced him as heir to his father’s land. He bid him to come, and declared a permanent and generationally perpetual seat at his table! This is what King Jesus has done for us!
I declare you are going from no pasture (a barren land void of blessings) to the King’s table and the fullness of His covenantal blessings. I hear the King bidding – “Come to My table. I am shattering lies, and opening eyes to how the enemy has been robbing lives. I am ripping away the destroyer’s disguise to bring about his demise!”
Many have been living in a victim mentality and blaming others because of the traumas endured. But the Lord says, “I am shattering shame and removing blame. I am overturning the decrees of lack, sickness and despair.” What the enemy intended for harm is setting you up for the blessing of God’s glorious works – new identify, kingdom prosperity and inheritance.
"The blessing of the LORD makes [one] rich, And He adds no sorrow with it." (Pro 10:22 NKJV)
We are joint heirs with Christ! (Rom. 8:17) Nothing stops God’s covenant or what He has ordained. His abounding is outstanding. I heard, “I am reversing the cursing, I bring reversal for disbursal!”
I had much trauma and shame to overcome - one from a congenital birth defect, others from childhood trauma, some from my own bad choices. The enemy used to keep me bound in shame, until I knew who I was in Christ. The Bible says to agree with your adversary when you are in the way with him (Matt. 5:25). I would say, “Devil you’re right, I was that, and I did those things. But Christ died for my sins, I am covered by the blood of Jesus, and I am a new creature! God is in covenant with me!” He was silenced, every time! We have an everlasting covenant sealed by the blood, declared by His WORD! It cannot be stopped! Believe! The Lord is calling your name – He is shattering shame; it’s time to put away blame, let His Word remain and all His blessings you will obtain!
Biblical definitions of shame include confusion, dishonor or reproach. Shame in modern day terms is an emotion rooted in our failure (real or perceived) to meet our own (or others’) expectations and causes us to feel inadequate or unworthy. Shame can certainly be a consequence of sin and rooted in guilt if unconfessed.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jo 1:9 NKJV)
The origin of shame was from the original sin of Adam and Eve. Satan loves to tempt us to sin and then bring shame, because it causes us to hide from God and others! We feel unforgivable and unlovable, that others would be ashamed of us if they knew of our deep wounds from our sin. But God’s love covers a multitude of sins - He covers our exposed nakedness! He recognizes our value as a person despite our sin! Before Adam and Eve sinned, they were naked and unashamed! The blood of Christ cleanses us of sin and restores us to God’s original design!
Your lameness, your old identity, everything of old unrenewed mindsets is being brought to your attention to be covered by His love. His compassion and deep redemptive work is bringing you back into alignment with His original design and in accordance with His covenant.
Many stopped living at the place of trauma and a victim mindset was formed. I declare to you this is a new day. The King is calling you to feast at His table. All that the enemy stole from you is being restored. Come to the table of covenantal blessings. Believe and receive. The goodness of God is leading you to repentance of wrong mindsets. The years of drought and lack will be a distant memory compared to the abundance of grace and goodness that will overtake your life as your soul is restored. The King of the universe is calling you, the Maker of heaven and earth, your Kinsman Redeemer. The great I AM, the One who formed you in your mother's womb, before the event that kept you in a tomb, says “Come, I have reserved room for you. The place has been established from before time, for you are Mine, now come and dine.”
Lord God, in Your presence are pleasures forevermore - never ending rivers of Living Waters that quench all other desires. You are the Bread of Life! You give our lives meaning, purpose, strength and direction. You are the Good Shepherd bringing your sheep into new pastures where we can feed to our heart's delight. I heard, “I am taking you from the darkest night and opening your eyes to My glorious light. I am restoring your sight so in Me you can delight. I have loved you with an everlasting love. My love does not fail; it will always prevail.”
"For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."" (Rom 10:11 NKJV)