MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
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 Texts:
Isaiah 50:7 | Psalm 121:1-2 | Hebrews 12:2
INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest mistakes many people make is looking sideways for approval when heaven is asking them to look upward for direction.
Shame is a strange visitor. It never pays rent, yet it wants to occupy your mind permanently. It arrives uninvited, sits comfortably in your emotions, drinks your confidence, and then starts rearranging your destiny!
What is even more annoying is that shame often travels with a noisy entourage called “What Will People Say?”
My friend, if people were qualified to determine your future, God would have consulted them before creating you.
Many believers are carrying shame that heaven never issued.
God did not send that shame.
Heaven has no department called “Ministry of Embarrassment.”
There is no angel assigned to remind you of your failures every morning.
The Holy Spirit does not wake up and say, “Good morning, let us discuss your mistakes from 2014.”
That job belongs to the devil.
The enemy keeps replaying old scenes because he has no new movie to show.
But today, God is saying:
“Stop looking around and start looking up!”
Because shame comes from around, but restoration comes from above.
I. SHAME COMES FROM AROUND, NOT ABOVE
🔹 1. Shame Comes from People
Human beings can be wonderfully created and wonderfully troublesome at the same time.
Some people can attend your funeral before you die.
They have already written your obituary because your business failed once.
Hannah knew this type of people.
Peninnah specialized in the Ministry of Unsolicited Commentary.
Every year she reminded Hannah that her womb was on holiday.
David met them too.
His brothers looked at him and saw a shepherd boy.
God looked at him and saw a king.
Job's friends came to comfort him but ended up conducting a seminar titled:
“Seven Reasons Why Job Must Have Sinned.”
Even Jesus experienced mockery.
The Creator of the universe was criticized by people He created.
Imagine clay insulting the Potter!
Never forget:
People usually judge your chapter three while God is still writing chapter twenty-seven.
🔹 2. Shame Comes from Circumstances
Sometimes shame doesn't speak through people.
It speaks through situations.
A delayed marriage.
A delayed promotion.
A struggling business.
A failed examination.
An unanswered prayer.
A financial drought.
Suddenly society begins measuring your worth with their broken ruler.
They ask:
“When are you getting married?”
“When are you building a house?”
“When are you buying a car?”
“When are you travelling abroad?”
As if heaven's admission requirements include those questions.
Listen carefully:
Your circumstance is a season, not your identity.
Rain may fall on your roof, but it does not become the foundation of your house.
🔹 3. Shame Comes from the Devil
The devil is a professional historian.
His favorite hobby is reminding people about what God has already forgiven.
He keeps bringing up files that heaven has already deleted.
He whispers:
“You failed.”
“You are disqualified.”
“You are too old.”
“You are too late.”
“You are not good enough.”
But whenever Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
His future is already settled.
The Cross signed the verdict.
The Resurrection announced the victory.
And your redemption sealed the matter.
II. HEAVEN DOESN'T DEAL IN SHAME — IT DEALS IN GLORY
Psalm 3:3 says:
“Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
Notice that God is not called “The Pusher Down of Heads.”
He is called “The Lifter Up of Heads.”
God specializes in lifting.
Lifting Joseph from prison.
Lifting Hannah from reproach.
Lifting Ruth from poverty.
Lifting Esther from slavery to royalty.
Lifting Lazarus from the grave.
Lifting Peter from failure.
Lifting sinners into saints.
Whenever God enters a situation, shame begins packing its bags.
The woman with the issue of blood came hiding.
She left celebrated.
Zacchaeus climbed a tree in curiosity.
He came down into honor.
The prodigal son returned expecting punishment.
Instead, he received a robe, a ring, and a feast.
What a God!
Only God can turn a funeral announcement into a testimony service.
III. LOOKING UP MEANS TRUSTING GOD OVER PEOPLE
Looking up is not an exercise for your neck.
It is a posture of your spirit.
When you look up:
You stop counting your problems and start counting God's promises.
You stop listening to public opinion and start hearing divine revelation.
You stop consulting fear and start consulting faith.
Looking up means:
Praying when tears are flowing.
Worshipping when explanations are absent.
Serving God when critics are present.
Believing when evidence is missing.
Standing when everyone expects you to quit.
The crowd said Goliath was too big to fight.
David looked up and concluded he was too big to miss.
That is the difference between looking around and looking up.
IV. LIFE APPLICATION
1. Identify the Source
Not every voice deserves a microphone in your life.
Find out where the shame is coming from.
People?
Past mistakes?
The devil?
Then confront it with God's Word.
2. Declare Your Identity
Say daily:
“I am not my mistakes.”
“I am not my failures.”
“I am not my past.”
“I am a child of God.”
3. Disconnect from Toxic Voices
Some relationships are emotional parasites.
They feed on your confidence.
Love them from a distance if necessary.
4. Worship Through the Mockery
Praise confuses shame.
When Paul and Silas worshipped in prison, chains became uncomfortable.
5. Feed on Truth
A starving believer becomes easy prey for lies.
Stay in God's Word.
6. Rise Again
Peter denied Jesus three times.
Yet he became the preacher of Pentecost.
Failure is an event.
It is not your address.
🔥 PROPHETIC DECLARATION
I decree and declare:
Every garment of shame catches fire today!
Every voice of mockery is silenced!
Every reproach becomes a testimony!
Every delayed promise receives divine acceleration!
Your head shall not bow in disgrace.
Your face shall shine with favor.
The God who lifted Joseph, Hannah, Ruth, Esther, David, Peter, and Lazarus shall lift you.
Those who laughed at your yesterday shall celebrate your tomorrow.
You shall not end in shame.
You shall end in glory.
In Jesus' Mighty Name!
Amen!
🙏 PRAYER
Father, I surrender every burden of shame before You. I reject every label that men, circumstances, or the enemy have placed upon my life. Lift my head above reproach. Silence every mocking voice. Replace my shame with honor, my sorrow with joy, and my weakness with strength. Let Your glory rest upon me. From today, I receive boldness, restoration, favor, and divine distinction. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
🔥 MEMORY VERSE
Psalm 34:5
“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
📖 FURTHER MEDITATION
- Isaiah 50:7
- Joel 2:26-27
- Romans 5:5
- Psalm 121:1-2
- Hebrews 12:2
MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER THOUGHT
If your value is determined by people's opinions, your joy will rise and fall like Nigerian fuel prices. But when your identity is rooted in God, shame loses its address and glory finds your location.
So today, stop looking around.
LOOK UP!
The One above is greater than everything around.
Your Brother,
Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
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