MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
Topic: *Shame Doesn’t Come from Above ; It Comes from Around… So Look Up*
Anchor Text: Psalm 34:5 “They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
Supporting Text: Isaiah 50:7 | Psalm 121:1-2 | Hebrews 12:2
INTRODUCTION
Shame is one of Satan’s oldest tools to keep people stuck in guilt, failure, regret, and rejection. It does not originate from God. It is not a product of heaven, it is the reaction of men and circumstances around us to things we can’t control or things we regret. It’s a voice that says, “You are not good enough,” “You failed,” “You should hide,” “You are too late,” or “You are not qualified.”
But the good news is this: God does not use shame to correct His children. He uses love, mercy, and grace. The voice of shame is not the voice of the Holy Spirit, it is the echo of human judgment, the roar of fear, and the whisper of the accuser. That’s why God’s Word reminds us to “look up”, because help never comes from beneath, or around, or from people,it comes from above!
I. SHAME COMES FROM AROUND, NOT ABOVE
🔹 1. Shame Comes from People
People who don’t understand your journey are often the first to mock it.
Hannah was mocked by Peninnah.
David was mocked by his brothers and by Goliath.
Job was mocked by his friends.
Even Jesus was shamed by the very people He came to save.
Men look at your scars and see failure. God looks at them and sees your story.
🔹 2. Shame Comes from Circumstances
Life can throw things at you that cause you to feel exposed and disgraced:
✓Poverty
✓Delay in marriage or childbirth
✓Loss of job
✓Broken relationships
✓Failed business
These are “around experiences” that people use to measure your worth, but they are not heaven’s conclusion.
🔹 3. Shame Comes from the Devil
Satan is called “the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). He constantly tries to remind you of your past mistakes so you can doubt your present calling. His goal is to make you feel unworthy, so you stop walking in faith and destiny.
II. HEAVEN DOESN’T DEAL IN SHAME, IT DEALS IN GLORY
Psalm 3:3 “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Romans 10:11 “Whoever believes on Him shall not be put to shame.”
Isaiah 61:7 “For your shame ye shall have double...”
Every time someone in Scripture looked up to God, shame was replaced with honor:
✓The woman with the issue of blood was hiding in shame, but after touching Jesus, she was restored.
✓Zacchaeus climbed up to see Jesus and was called down into salvation and honor.
✓The prodigal son returned home in disgrace, but the Father welcomed him with a robe and ring.
III. LOOKING UP MEANS TRUSTING GOD OVER PEOPLE
Looking up is not just a physical act, it is a spiritual posture of dependence.
When you look up:
You shift your focus from your pain to His power.
You silence the crowd and hear God’s voice.
You stop listening to the opinions of men and start receiving the truth of heaven.
To “look up” is to:
Pray even when your voice is trembling.
Worship even when your heart is breaking.
Serve God even when people mock you.
Declare God’s Word when everything looks contrary.
Refuse to let shame become your identity.
IV. LIFE APPLICATION: PRACTICAL STEPS TO RISE ABOVE SHAME
1. Identify the source of your shame. Is it from your past? From what people are saying? Or from something you regret? Expose it to the light of God’s Word.
2. Declare your identity in Christ. Remind yourself daily: “I am not my failure; I am God's child.”
3. Let go of toxic voices. Walk away from people who keep you bound in your past.
4. Worship in the midst of mockery. Shame cannot stay in an atmosphere of worship.
5. Feed your mind with truth. Read and confess scriptures that affirm your value and destiny.
6. Rise and work again. Like Peter who denied Jesus and felt ashamed, you too can be restored and go back to fulfilling your calling.
V. PROPHETIC DECLARATION
I decree and declare:
Every garment of shame is torn off your life!
Every word spoken to disgrace you is reversed by fire!
Your face will shine. Your destiny will rise.
Those who mocked you will see the glory of God in your life.
From this moment, receive boldness, beauty, and honor in place of disgrace.
In Jesus’ mighty name!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I bring every area of shame in my life before You. I choose to look up to You, the lifter of my head. Deliver me from every voice of mockery, failure, and regret. Silence every crowd that has tried to label me. Let Your glory fall upon me. Clothe me with honor. Restore me to purpose. I declare I am not ashamed! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
🔥 MEMORY VERSE:
Psalm 34:5 “They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
📖 FURTHER SCRIPTURES FOR MEDITATION:
Isaiah 50:7
Joel 2:26–27
Romans 5:5
Psalm 121:1–2
Hebrews 12:2
MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER THOUGHT:
Shame doesn’t come from above; it is sent to distract, delay, and destroy, but when you look up to God, He lifts you out of every pit and places a crown of honor on your head.
So today, LOOK UP and LIVE!
Your Brother
Prophet Dr Abiodun Adesida
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