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We Who Are But Dust and Ashes
He came to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre in the heat of the day. To reconfirm His covenant promise. And for the pronouncement of pending judgement upon the wicked because of their grievous sin. But Abraham stood yet before the Lord. Asking for His indulgence.
"Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.”
Genesis 18.27
Humble boldness is on display here. It is not the arrogant mindset of one who feels they are entitled. No. It is a reminder that there is always a need for abasement of self and praise to God before petition. A posture of prostration that originates from within. For you see, before the Lord is simply a place one cannot be without humility. Repentance is always the proper stance to take before the Eternal One. The patriarch understood this well.
“I who am but dust and ashes.”
It is the realization of who we are. The epitome of modesty and humility. A reminder of the curse pronounced to Adam (Genesis 3.19). Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. A stark expression of whence we came and to where we shall return. Conveying not only the fragility of life, but our standing before the Almighty.
18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
Ecclesiastes 3.18-20
We who are but dust and ashes.
It speaks of our unworthiness before the Creator. And yet, as the psalmist reveals, He approaches our frailty with a fatherly compassion that in our shameful, sinful condition we have no right at all to receive.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103.13-14
We would do well to see ourselves as absolutely destitute. And open our eyes to see God as all-sufficient. Isn’t this in essence the foundation of our prayers lifted on high? An awareness of our desperate need and frailty along with reverence for God’s awesome power and holiness.
There is beauty in the ashes.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
and on them he has set the world.
1 Samuel 2.8
And though God graciously receives us as His children, we dare not come irreverently or brashly before His throne. For He is the living God who spoke the universe into existence. And the Father of mercies who alone can save us from our wretched state.
He bestows favor to the humble and the oppressed (Proverbs 3.34). As we acknowledge the Sovereign whom we serve. Bending the knee in response to His majesty and the grace afforded to all. For we, who have been adopted as fellow heirs, shall receive a crown of life. Through the death and sacrifice of the Humble Servant.
Our prayers and petitions must be based on the knowledge of God’s purpose. And then proceed according to the knowledge of God’s person.
We who are but dust and ashes.
