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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. At that time, women felt ashamed if they could not produce children to continue the family line; Hannah felt despised and humiliated until God answered her heart’s cry. By giving her a son, her position within her family and Jewish society was established. God had lifted her up, removing the shame and 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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