Eating Ashes

In Isaiah 44:20, we read something pretty interesting:

He feeds on ashes;
A deceived heart has turned him aside;
And he cannot deliver his soul,
Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Before we get deeper into this verse, I’d like to share a little story.

Lately the country of southern Madagascar has been going through a severe drought. There hasn’t been a SINGLE  drop of rain over there for nearly two years. Because of the drought, many are starving–especially children.

Children like Saholy.

According to ADRA, there are occasions where Saholy and her eight siblings have so little to eat they’d mix together sour tamarind fruit, water, and ash . Saholy says that “the ash makes the meal more filling and helps it stretch.” Isn’t it SAD that theses poor children in southern Madagascar would be SO HUNGRY that they’re willing to EAT ASHES just to SURVIVE?!

But what’s even more sad is that Saholy and all the other children in southern Madagascar are not the only ones eating ashes just to fend off hunger. On a spiritual level, there are children, teens, and adults who are ALSO doing the same thing! Their hearts are HUNGRY for something better. Their souls are STARVING for something deeper.

And this is where we’re gonna get deeper into the verse we just read in Isaiah. Ellen White has a beautiful statement on this verse:

The day of deliverance is at hand. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9. Among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, He sees men and women who are praying for light and knowledge. Their souls are unsatisfied; long have they fed on ashes. The enemy of all righteousness has turned them aside, and they grope as blind men. But they are honest in heart and desire to learn a better way. –{PK pg. 376}

Is this where you see yourself right now? Are you tired of eating the ashes of this world?Are you “unsatisfied” by sitting around and just consuming the ashes of a mediocre religion? Is your entire heart and soul HUNGRY and STARVING for something beyond the spiritual emptiness you’re in? You may be just like Saholy–eating ashes just to satisfy the famishing hole inside you.

But praise the Lord! YOU HAVE HOPE! Ellen White goes on to say:

Heaven’s plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer. Constantly He is sending His angels to those who, while surrounded by circumstances the most discouraging, pray in faith for some power higher than themselves to take possession of them and bring deliverance and peace. In various ways God will reveal Himself to them and will place them in touch with providences that will establish their confidence in the One who has given Himself a ransom for all, “that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” Psalm 78:7. –{PK pg. 377}

Would you like to experience that? Experience God bringing you His “deliverance and peace?” Then just pray:

I’d like to conclude this post with a beautiful Bible promise you may claim along with the above prayer:

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”  (Psalms 107:9 AKJV)

Amen!