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From The Ashes



"From the ashes,
from the dust,
I will rise up,
rise up,
out of darkness,
into the light,
I will rise up,
rise up.
You make all things new..."

Recently, I was contemplating Psalm 113, particularly verses 7 and 8:

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.

This morning I realized these were Hannah's words recorded in the prayer she offered in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10 after she had dedicated her son Samuel to service in the temple. In that day women felt ashamed if they could not procreate and indeed poor Hannah felt despised and humiliated. After her heartfelt prayers, God heard and answered by giving her a son. Now she had value in Jewish society and within the family. God had lifted her up and removed all the shame, seating her in a place of dignity.

In the Christian sense, God still does this. He lifts us out of the barrenness of the ash heap of sin and suffering and sets us "in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6), figuratively speaking. This changes our perspective entirely as we begin to view life with God's purpose in mind. Our song reminds us that God makes all things new and this is possible when we begin to walk with Him through faith in Christ.

If you feel you are in the ash heap of life, there is hope! Come to the One who will lift you up and give you life eternal.




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