Morning by Morning, March 5 - Ashes and Honor
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I humble myself in Your sight and pray You would lift me up in Your embrace. Help me begin this day and every day embraced by the Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Spirit. ...
"But Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore the long robe that she was wearing; she put her hand to her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went" (2 Samuel 13:19).
In many traditions and streams of the Body of Christ today, people put ashes on their head or receive the imposition of ashes on their heads from their priest or pastor to mark Ash Wednesday. Part of the meaning is to speak of an attitude of humility and repentance for sin on this first day of the Lenten season of forty days before Easter Sunday. And any cultures and traditions in the world also celebrate Fat Tuesday the night before as one night of revelry before forty days of repentance.
But regardless or our traditions and rituals, You are a God who "draws near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). "A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). As we humble ourselves in Your sight, You lift us up (James 4:10). You are our God who "raises up the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them set with princes and inherit a seat of honor" (1 Samuel 2:8).
Thank You for the forgiveness of sins and the embrace of Your love. Rather than just a day on the calendar or a ritual in the Church, help me live a lifestyle of humility of heart so I can also live a life fully embraced in Your Presence and lifted up into the place of honor in Your heart. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My Friend, may you be lifted up by the Holy Spirit into the place of honor in the heart of our God as you humble yourself in His sight today. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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