Day 1 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019

ASH WEDNESDAY DEVOTIONAL

“He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them. (1Samuel 2:8)

Ash Wednesday begins the season of “Lent” whose observance can be traced back to the second century in a primitive form. It starts on Wednesday and continues for 47 days to Easter (40 days of Lent do not include Sundays).

Lent is a time to reflect on your life, remembering you were made of the “stuff” of the earth, dust and ashes, into which God has given the breath of life. “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) During Lent you are called to focus on truly sacrificing your life to the Lord and prepare for the wonderful work of Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection.

Be humbled by the Giver of Life who made you in His image with holy purpose to serve the Father and His will for your life.  Give thanks to Him for your breath of life and resolve not to waste His divinely appointed time for you on this earth…back to which your physical body will go awaiting the resurrection.
“By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)

Consider what it means to be a Christian who genuinely believes in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; you are a “new creation” in which the Holy Spirit dwells to guide you, teach you, comfort you and empower you to serve God. Focus the eyes of your heart heavenward and repent (change your ways) from disobedience, lay your sins before the Lord, humbly remember where you came from (the dust of the earth) and rejoice as a child of the Living God.

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy