Trading your Ashes for Beauty
Ps.113:7 “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes–with the princes of His people
Psalms 142:3-5 - When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
In our journey through life many times we are forced to face some dramatic times! Seasons in our lives that brings feelings and emotions of loneliness and ultimate destruction. The big question is, what do we do in those times when our hopes and dreams are dashed and we feel all alone, forsaken and nothing left but the ashes of disappointment.
What choices do we have? Do we sit on the ash heap of our disappointment and complain of all that went wrong? Do we eat the ashes of all of our disappointments and choke on remorse and bitterness? Or do we move beyond the ashes to find God’s plan and purpose that will lead to victory and restoration?
David found himself in one of those seasons in his life, we are told; in 1 Sam 30:6 “… David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. That is the answer! Our encouragement, our future, our hope, our success is in the Lord!
Psalms 142:3&5 - When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. …. 5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”
David made a choice not to feed on the ashes of disappointment, not to spend time blaming himself or blaming others for what happened, not to feed on the ashes of self‑pity that would ultimately lead him to depression and isolation. He spent his time “encouraging himself in the Lord,” seeking God’s guidance for his next step and moving past the calamity that he was facing. We feed on the ashes of disappointment when we believe the loss spells the end of our hopes and dreams for a good and happy life. That is a lie that we need to refuse to believe.
Are you feeding on the ashes of broken promises, unrealized hopes and dreams, plans that have failed to materialize? Let me state some absolute biblical facts; you need not spend any more time feeding on ashes!
- You can rise from your ashes!
- You can choose to sing a new song!
- You can live again!
- You can trade your ashes for God’s beauty!
God said in Isaiah 61:3 that through His son Jesus, he would “give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that we may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified". What a promise! What a hope! You can trade your ashes for beauty!”
Ps.113:7 states for us a promise; “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes–with the princes of His people
Do you feel you are poor? Do you feel that you are in the dust? Do you feel needy? Do you feel you are on the ash heap? This promise is tailor‑made for you. God promises to lift you out of the dust, lift you out of the ash heap to seat you as one of His princes. The psalmist said “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” (Ps 142:5) How about taking God up on His offer, trade your ashes for beauty; go ahead give it a try!
Blessings
Pastor Moral
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March 2013 - Young Person, Are You ready?...VIEW
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March 2012 - Never Give Up...VIEW
February 2012 - I Will Not Go Down in Defeat...VIEW
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April - May 2011 - Don't Shoot the Wounded...VIEW
March 2011 - Time, Is it Running Out?...VIEW
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