A Princess Defiled

An excerpt from The 5 Dreams of Every Woman by Sharon Jaynes:

“In 2 Samuel 13, 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 the beautiful Tamar 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. Tamar obeyed her father’s request to tend to her brother. After she entered his bedroom, the supposedly sick Amnon commanded the servants to leave the room and lock the door behind them. Then he grabbed Tamar, threw her on his bed, and even though she begged and pleaded for him so 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 to come to his house to live. ‘Shhh,’ 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 wear the royal robe that was rightfully hers 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 every day- hiding because of shame and 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 who 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 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 61:1-3).

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.