“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 ESV
Brutal reality! That’s what the words “Dust you are and to dust you shall return” bring. These words serve as the harsh reminder that the wages of sin is death. Hearts are called to reflect on their sin and to be drawn back in repentance and faith. By our own most grievous fault, we have sinned against God in thought, word and deed. The Law, in all its severity, is applied, and we are led to stand over our own open graves, ready to receive our bodies that will return to dust.
However, as the ashen cross is traced upon our foreheads, we are reminded of the purpose of Christ’s coming and where salvation is to be found. We join with David in confessing that we have been sinners since the time of our conception, but we also join in asking God to restore to us the joy of our salvation. In the words of Absolution, in the words of the sermon, in the sacramental word of the Lord’s Supper, God gives to us the fruits of Christ’s cross and creates in us clean hearts that are joyful over sins forgiven and the hope of the resurrection.
The joy of the Gospel means that though your body will become dust in the ground, your body will rise again in the resurrection. That was the promise and the source of joy for David and for us all. When our sins overwhelm us, we are right to return to God and confess those sins before Him. But we need not be despondent over sin; rather, we trust His merciful and gracious word that the sin that grieves us, the Lord has “put away” (as Nathan said to David). Therefore, our prayer on this Ash Wednesday and every day, though we are sinners we ask God to restore to us the joy of His salvation in our Savior, Christ Jesus!
Prayer - Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan