She Didn’t Have a Happily Ever After…But She Could Have

Sharon JaynesDealing with Your Past, Women in the Bible 8 Comments

Today’s Truth
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair,” (Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV).

Friend to Friend
We all know the story of Cinderella. She went from being held captive in the furnace to being a captivating belle of the ball, from being covered with ashes to being crowned with jewels, from being abused by her wicked stepfamily to being adored by her entire village.  We all love “And they lived happily ever after” endings.

In 2 Samuel 13 of the Bible, there is a story that somewhat reminds me of Cinderella’s, but with two major differences: it is no fairy tale and the events occur in reverse. It is the story of Tamar, the lovely princess daughter of King David.

Tamar was one of the most beautiful young ladies in the entire kingdom. Her name meant “palm tree,” a symbol of victory and honor. She had several siblings: sisters, brothers, half-brothers, and half-sisters. It was a royal blended mess.

One of her half brothers, Amnon, lusted after his beautiful half-sister to the point he couldn’t sleep at night.  At the advice of a wicked friend, Amnon plotted to lure Tamar into his bedroom with the help of their unsuspecting father. Amnon pretended to be sick and requested some of Tamar’s special baked bread. He also requested that she feed it to him with her own hands. Tamar obeyed her father’s request to tend to her brother. After she entered his bedroom, the supposed sickly Amnon commanded the servants to leave the room and lock the door behind them. He grabbed Tamar, threw her on his bed, and even though she begged and pleaded for him to stop, he stole her most treasured possession, her virginity. After he had his way with her and his lust was satisfied, Amnon tossed Tamar on the floor along with her hopes and dreams.

The distraught, devastated, and demeaned Tamar ran from Amnon’s room, crying out in anguish and despair. She tore her royal robes and ran the halls searching for her beloved brother, Absalom. When Absalom came to her rescue, he surmised what had happened and bid her to come to his house to live. “Shhhhh,” he whispered, “don’t worry; I’ll take care of you. Now don’t tell anyone what happened, just leave it up to me.”

And even though Tamar was still a royal princess, she spent the rest of her days secluded in a darkened room, wearing sackcloth as if in mourning and placing ashes on her head in shame.  Never again did she place the royal robe which was rightfully hers on her shoulders or live as the princess she truly was. She lived the rest of her life believing she could never be restored.

This is not just the story of Tamar, but the story of many women I meet everyday – hiding because of shame, feeling ugly and unworthy to accomplish God’s dreams. Paul reminds us that when we come to Christ, he makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), but many conceal or cover up that beauty with shame from past mistakes or abuse. It is as if they rise each morning and put a fresh dusting of ashes on their souls; the very ashes that Jesus came to wash away. And dear sister, it is Satan who keeps the supply of ashes coming and Satan who holds the box of ashes in his hand with the lid open ready for us to use.

Oh, we may not be walking around with ashes on our heads or dressed in burlap sacks, but we wear the mantle of shame that Satan has placed on our shoulders and secures with guilt-ridden deception and lies. I meet many women who have children, a husband, a successful career, and appear beautiful on the outside, but are spending their days in desolation of the soul because Satan has convinced them that’s where they belong. Wearing the cloak of shame because of past abuse, misuse or mistakes, they don’t realize that Jesus Christ has washed them clean, purchased a robe of righteousness made just for them, and He is eager to place it on their shoulders.

Please don’t let Satan deceive you into believing that you are anything less than a beautiful princess. Do not allow him to convince you your dignity cannot be restored. The truth is, it already has been. We simply need to start believing the truth.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus in these verses:

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair,” (Isaiah 61:1-4).

Jesus has the glass slipper in His hand. He’s waiting for the princess to offer her foot – your foot. Don’t let Satan tell you it doesn’t fit. The One who made your foot has already decreed that it does.

Let’s Pray
And they lived happily ever after.  Dear Lord, I know that is the way the story of my life will end.  I’ve read the book.  I’ll live in eternity with the Prince. Forgive me when I sit in shame and forget what Jesus has done for me. Today, I will walk clothed in the mantle of righteousness that Jesus purchased just for me.  In His Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
I’ve told you the story of Tamar, but I’d like for you to go back and read it for yourself.  You can find it in 2 Samuel 13.

Tamar’s father didn’t do anything to help her get over her shame and come out of hiding.  Your Father did.  Describe, in your own words, just what God did to restore your crown.

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Comments 8

  1. Just what I needed to hear this morning:)I was just asking myself “Why do I opt to listen to the hurtful lies from the mouth of the Deciever & dwell on them ? Sometimes I guess I just need a reminder that I can choose to listen to whosevers words I want. It’s a matter of choice, that choice was given to me by My Heavenly Father and Today I choose to listen to my fathers Word not the Decievers. Thank You!!!

  2. I love your message and God. Thanks. New creation, Jesus said, but I
    didn’t accept it with my heart. His power of forgiveness did’t flow my heart. Pray for me to accept it and belive in him with all my heart.

  3. well God took my life from the pits of hell i had allowed satan to all most destroy me i had turn to drugs andalchol even to prostitution i just didnt care what happened to me i was so in despair that i couldn’t see the light then i became pregrant and i thought of abortion but in my heart i knew i couldn’t do it so i called out if their is a God out there please turn my life around well you better watch what you ased for because God did just that he brought a awesome man into my life restored my other child who was in the hands of welfare back to me and introduced me to the most wonderful person i could every know and that is Jesus .I just thank him everyday know for his many blessings that he has bestowed on me

  4. Glory be to God.Thank you for sharing and for reminding us how beautiful we are.We need to remember that we are created by the image of God and we are beautiful in and out.I have been RAPED,MOLESTED AND ASSAULTED but I do not see my self as a victim but Victory and a Survivor.To all my sister’s who are going through that remember to trust your burdens unto God for He cares for you……He knows what you are going through&He will never leave nor forsake you.Just tell Him all that is in you heart..

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