I have a friend whose
story is similar to Tamar! She had cried and soiled her pillows with tears. As she narrated her story, I cried and cried some more.
But something broke my heart, she had given up.
May
be you are in those shoes or know someone going through something as horrible
as this. Her story touches the
heart of the today’s woman because she very much lives with us.
Too ashamed to speak
up, she is withdrawn, desolate and still wears her ashes, a symbol of her pain.
I am not going to dwell on his actions, not today but I
desire that she in whatever skin, place and state find hope from Jesus.
Bible
Study: 2
Samuel 13 (click scripture to read online)
Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but,
being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 2
Samuel 13:14
Her attacker in a few
minutes, his love quickly turned to hatred.
His hatred drove him
to kick her out.
"Lock the doors behind
her", he ordered.
He had satisfied his
lust on her.
Poor Tamar!
And
she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the
king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her
out, and bolted the door after her. 2 Samuel 13:18
Here is the daughter of a king, treated worse than a prostitute.
Her adorning was not respected.
Her beautifully colored, richly decorated, flowing royalty dress was now
an object of ridicule.
Her position was not to be.
The symbol of her pride was snatched away not by her will and
worse of all by someone she had trusted, cared for and respected, her own
brother!
And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours
that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.And
Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but
hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So
Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. 2 Samuel 13:19-20
A pain she never
recovered from.
A stolen destiny, she
lived the rest her life in misery and desolation.
Thereafter, her story
ended!
Nothing was ever spoken about the young woman.
Does
it have to end this way?
Is Tamar story yours?
Is there anything
good that can come from Tamar?
I don’t claim to understand
you, but I know someone who can make a beautiful ending from this story.
I know someone who
can rewrite the end of this story.
I know someone who
can make something beautiful from of a broken life.
He can make pretty flowers
grow on desolate and abandoned grounds.
If this is somewhat
in your life story, here is what you should remember....
There is a beauty for
every ash
There is a glory for
every shame
There is a testimony
in every test
There is victory in
every in trial
There is hope in the
mire
There is restoration in loss
There are more prettier princesses' clothing for you
You are the daughter of the King. What you went
through can never change that.
You loved of the Lord, this situation notwithstanding.
You are God's priceless jewel.
You have a future.
You not hopeless.
There is still something good in life for every Tamar.
Not because I think so, but God says so.
His Word is there to prove it.
If He can restore Rahab and plug her into the lineage of Jesus, then God can do anything to restore you.
Don’t make Tamar’s
end yours!
Here is what the Lord
Jesus has in mind
To
appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be
called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3
For
your shame ye
shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion:
therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be
unto them. Isaiah 61:7
There is a beauty for
your ashes
There is glory for
your shame
There is joy for
your weeping
There is a garment
of praise for your shredded clothing.
A Prayer for You:
Lord
I pray for the woman going through this situation, you understand her
struggle, Lord you know her pain. Words may not describe her feelings or tell
her tales but Father I pray that you grant her story a beautiful ending. I pray she be restored in more ways than she ever expected. Grant that she finds hope
and courage to go on and grasp a joy-filled life, courage and laughter in Jesus name. Amen!
More
Resources you can read:
A Prayer for Hard days
Comment
Prompt: Have you been there? What words of encouragement
can you share for a woman struggling with an abusive past?
By His Great Grace,
Ifeoma Samuel
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