Daily Reading
Daily Reflection
The Ninevites were confronted with a message from Jonah. In the same way, we are confronted with the message of the Gospel: God reaches out to reconcile with us in our brokenness. To this, the Ninevites responded by mourning by wearing sackcloth, sitting in ashes, and fasting. However, Jonah hated the Ninevites and responded with anger towards God. Self-righteousness prevented Jonah from seeing the love God had for Nineveh. Have you felt ever like the Ninevites, willing to receive God's mercy and love? Or have you ever felt like Jonah, angry at God for showing mercy to your enemies? The remarkable thing is God had mercy and compassion for both Jonah and the Ninevites. At Ash Wednesday services, ashes are put on the worshipper's foreheads. This is a sign of humility. The ashes are a remembrance of the mercy and grace offered to us through Jesus. Through the ashes we are also reminded of Genesis 3:19: Remember you are dust, and to the dust you shall return. As we enter this season of Lent, pray that our hearts may be humbled as we receive God's mercy and compassion. Like the Ninevites, let us mourn the brokenness in ourselves and our city and pray that the God of peace will bring his mercy and healing.
Daily Worship Resources
Ash Wednesday
Morning Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 | Psalm 51:1-17
Evening Readings: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 | Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Other Resources
Read Introduction to the Lent Tradition >
Download pdf of entire Lent devotion >