Daily Devotions
Psalm 102:9 “For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears.”
Did you get fooled today? If not, count yourself lucky. I once mistakenly drank from a cup holding a crushed-out cigarette. When we cut ourselves off from the forgiveness of sins Christ won for us, it’s as if we see the butt in the can but drink anyway! That would be foolish!
That God would lovingly bestow His grace and mercy on those who willingly turn away may seem foolish, and in a sense it is. From God’s Word: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
Application: Keep a handful of dirt in a jar as a reminder of the fact that “from dust we are and to dust we shall return” but also to remind you that Jesus died and rose to save you from your sins!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my sin and give me the joy of salvation. Take my ash and tears away for Jesus’ sake. Amen.