he feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” [isaiah 44:20]

 

our rebellion always ends in spiritual poverty.  imagine, starving for sustenance, and yet the only thing available to you is dust and ashes. as you feed on them, you realize, they are devoid of all nutrition–if you could force this ‘food’ down, you would still die of malnutrition. as you waste away, as you fool yourself, there is a point of decision, and you ask yourself:

 

“is this not  a lie?”

 

when we choose our idols and our sins, we feed on ashes, thinking that this food will bring life, but we are quite wrong.  when we turn from feeding on the ashes and repent and decide to consume real food, there is a promise for us:

 

Jesus said to them, “i am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” [john 6:35]

 

the psalmist tells us how to turn from clinging to dust and turn to God:

 

my soul clings to the dust;

    give me life according to your word!

when I told of my ways, you answered me;

    teach me your statutes!

mke me understand the way of your precepts,

    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

my soul melts away for sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word!

put false ways far from me

    and graciously teach me your law!

i have chosen the way of faithfulness;

   i set your rules before me.

i cling to your testimonies, O Lord;

    let me not be put to shame!

i will run in the way of your commandments

    when you enlarge my heart! [psalm 119:25-32]

 

brothers and sisters in Christ–let us stop feeding on ash and clinging to dust–instead, let us cling to and be in awe of  the testimonies and words of our Lord–let us feed on the bread of life, Jesus!

 

~ce