Dear Bros and Sisters in Christ,
As we are entering the lenten season; I would
like to share a few thoughts that crossed my mind on
the need for breaking our self before the Lord. There
might be phases in our life when we are going through
overwhelming problems -broken relationships, dire
financial situations, a long jobless situation, a very
poor marital life etc. Do we take these problems in a
positive manner knowing the fact that the Lord
permitted it so that you will be a better person
purified by this problem ? Or are we looking at these
problems with an IRON HEART thinking that come what
may I will endure this with a SUPER-MAN attitude and
by our own merits ? If this is the case it is time for
us to BREAK DOWN BEFORE THE LORD.
Today being Ash Wednesday; let us also look
into the relevance of ash in this breaking down
process. We see many characters in the Bible specially
in the Old testament finding favour with the Lord
immediately when they went to the Lord with a sober
heart especially after they have sinned.
Interestingly, Ash(and Sack Cloth) was always part of
their repentance and breaking down process and was a
symbol of humility and unconditional surrender to God.
We see how King David after his sin and condemnation
went to the Lord fasting wearing sack cloth and
covering himself with Ash. We also see Job breaking
his self by running into His presence also the same
way. We also see Joshua breaking down before the Lord
when the Israeli army faces defeat from their enemies.
Some points worthy to note and common in all
the cases are :
1. The breaking down was also associated with a
pleading for mercy and TRUE REPENTANCE from their
hearts.
( Bcos King David's repentance was so great; we got
one of the best books in the Bible called the PSALMS
).
2. God acted immediately and changed His plans each
and everytime someone went on their knees and cried.
( The Lord said to Joshua , "Stand up! Why are you
down on your face ?".)
3. A new strength and confidence dawns into the
person who opens up all his weakness completely to the
Lord.
(Job's fortune is restored twice after He endured
Lords test; An angel comes to strengthen Jesus at the
garden of Gethsamene after His painful time of prayer;
Joshua goes ahead winning all the battles he fought -
kingdoms were falling before him one after the other
etc. etc. )
Even now, declares the Lord; "Return to Me with
all your heart, with fasting and weeping and
mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,
and He relents from sending calamity." Joel 2 : 12-13.
No; we are not serving a God who loves to see
tears. But the Bible testifies so many people who
cried out bitterly to the Lord and found favour in His
presence. It is necessary to transfer our problems
into tears so as to get a complete inner healing and
God expects this from us for a wholesome healing and
freedom.
A true breaking down process is guided by the Holy
Spirit and makes us more closer to God. This process
is sublime and is contrary to self condemnation and
self pitying which comes from the evil one. And so we
see how St. Peter after denying Jesus 3 times wept
bitterly and goes on to become the Captain of the
Church. And Judas weeps bitterly and finds his way to
the tree.
Also breaking down before the Lord helps the Holy
Spirit to heal so many Inner wounds we carry even with
out us knowing it.
So dear Joynet bros and sis this is the time and
this is the hour for us - " Come, let us return to the
Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has
wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us
after two days; on the third day He will raise us up,
that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us
press on to know the Lord." Hosea 6 : 1-3
Have a Blessed Lent Time!
Love and Prayers
Sanju
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