Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: The Difficulty of Love! (LISTEN HERE)
Today in the Christian Church Year is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning to the 40 day journey in the season of Lent. It is a season of repentance and reflection. We recognize how undeserving we are of the love of Jesus, yet how he was willing to suffer, die and rise again for us.
Ashes are part of the day to remind us of our mortality. We came from dust and to dust we will return. Marked with the sign of the cross, an ashen mark on the forehead often tangibly puts before us “the wages of sin is death” as well as “the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ.”
On this Ash Wednesday, I put before us the hymn that captures the deep need we have for Jesus’ love and his willingness to love the difficult. Read the verses slowly and then enjoy listening to a rendition of the hymn by KoineMusic.com.
1 Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed his blood for me,
died that I might live on high,
lives that I might never die.
As the branch is to the vine,
I am his and he is mine!
2 Oh, the height of Jesus’ love,
higher than the heav’ns above,
deeper than the depths of sea,
lasting as eternity,
love that found me— wondrous thought—
found me when I sought him not.
3 Only Jesus can impart
comfort to a wounded heart,
peace that flows from sin forgiv’n,
joy that lifts the soul to heav’n,
faith and hope to walk with God
in the way that Enoch trod.
4 Chief of sinners though I be,
Christ is all in all to me;
all my wants to him are known,
all my sorrows are his own.
Safe with him in earthly strife,
I await the heav’nly life.
5 Strengthen me, O gracious Lord,
by your Spirit and your Word.
When my wayward heart would stray,
keep me in the narrow way;
grace in time of need supply
while I live and when I die.
CLICK HERE to listen to the hymn.
Apply: What part of the hymn stood out most to you? What truth does it speak to your heart?
Prayer: Lord, on this Ash Wendesday and beginning of the season of Lent, guide our hearts to recognize our sin and deep need for a Savior. Lead us not to despair, but to find joy in knowing that you loved the difficult, the chief of sinners…you loved me. AMEN.