Ash Wednesday, March 5

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 64

Before Moses died, God led him to recite this song in Deuteronomy 32 and to teach it to the Israelites.  God knows they are going to reject Him and His covenant once they enter the land that tempts them to believe they don’t need Him anymore.  He knows He will turn away and let them choose a life without Him which will lead to disaster.  Still, in God’s prevenient grace, Moses gives them a song that will remind them who He is, who they are and what went wrong.  The song is also a promise of what is to come; that in their state of disobedience, God will reach down in compassion and mercy to offer restoration and the hope of His cleansing through Jesus. Without the song, the descendants wouldn’t know the GodStory.

We easily forget to look to Christ.  In our shame, we turn from repentance. It can feel easier to hide than confront our sin. In our despair, we forget His faithfulness.  But still, He wrote the GodStory song for us before we knew we needed it.  The song of His hand in our life, the song of what our life looks like without Him in it, the song pointing us to hope, deliverance and restoration in Jesus.  When we sing the GodStory song, God floods us with love and grace, and generations after us will join in with us.  

Prayer: Lord, we praise you for your prevenient grace in our lives. We repent for turning to idols, instead of you.  We repent for what we keep hidden instead of naming our sin in your holy presence.  We ask that you would help us to keep singing the GodStory song in our lives.  As we sing, help keep us in step with you, remembering without your song, we are walking toward death.  We want your life, your restoration, your hope and your cleansing in our lives.  We want to sing loud so the generations following us will know of your life through your GodStory, through OurStory.  We love you.  Amen.

~Pastor Tabitha Martin

Daily Prayer Focus: Ourselves