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Genesis 1:26-31

In the beginning, man was made in God’s own image, after His likeness. In the beginning, God gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, fowl of the air, cattle, and all the earth, including every creeping thing upon the earth. In the beginning, God blessed man and woman, and told them to fill the earth with offspring. In the beginning, man ate only herbs, fruit, and seed. In the beginning, things were radically different from today.

Today, men have taken on the image and likeness of carnality. Rather than desire the things of God, they yearn for worldly pleasures and lusts of the flesh. Today, men are afraid of nearly every animal in the animal kingdom that has not been thoroughly domesticated, including mice and cockroaches. Today, having multiple children is shunned by the modern self-centered society. In the past, large families were deemed a blessing from the Lord, but those days seem to be long gone. Today, men will eat anything that moves (or doesn’t move). While we have been granted permission by God to consume meat (according to Genesis 9:3, and Matthew 15:11), many around the globe enjoy some very unusual delicacies.

From the beginning of time until now, the world has become nearly unrecognizable from God’s original creation. But, in a moment, all will be restored from chaos and wickedness, to unity and perpetual holiness.

From Dust To Life

Psalm 103:1-14

Isn’t it fascinating how man chooses to remember those things God forgets, while also forgetting those things God remembers? Sound confusing? Well, it’s truth nonetheless. Man was formed by the Lord God from the dust of the ground, and became a living soul, by the breath God breathed into his nostrils. Of all the precious jewels, stones, and other elements of the earth, why did God choose dust as man’s main ingredient? Could it be, there would come a time in history, when man would become tainted by sin, and need to be reminded how frail and fragile he really is? Or, did God choose the thing that seemed worthless, so that man could avoid the thought of becoming arrogant and haughty? Could you imagine, if man was formed from gold, silver, and other priceless elements? That would be totally awesome, yet would also come with a price.

There are many times in life, when men do forget they are only dirt, yet live as if they are worth everything, rather than forgetting those sins that so easily set them up for failure. When we seek God’s forgiveness from sin and iniquity, and are faithful in our approach to the Throne of Grace, the Father removes our transgressions from us, so far as the east is from the west. While we wallow and squirm in our errors and mistakes, God sits patient, waiting for us to step back on the righteous path, and start moving again.

God knows we are dust, and susceptible to making mistakes, so He set aside unlimited grace and everlasting mercy, so that we could always have a chance to redeem ourselves, if ever we come back to our senses.

“We live this life for purpose and reason, but not too long, for only a season.” – Ell

God, The Potter

Isaiah 63:15-16, 64:8-9

A potter, or pottery maker, is a craft artist who uses their artistic talents to create pots, dishes, mugs, vases, and other types of artwork. Most potters create functional pieces that are meant to be put to everyday use. However, they can also create pieces that are decorative, and meant to be appreciated purely as works of art. A potter can train for decades to become a true master of the art of making pottery; forever learning and improving their craft (https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/potter/).

A potter takes his time, molding clay into its desired shape, and keeps it moist, until he’s satisfied with its final design. At times, pieces may break off, or the potter decides to alter a section of the piece, in order for it to properly display what he intends for it to look like. When the pottery maker is fully convinced that a piece is to his liking, he places it in an oven, and allows the heat to solidify it into its permanent form.

Understanding the concepts of a potter and his craft, makes it very easy to also understand the relationship between God, and His people. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). After creating man and woman, God was done with those works of art. Nothing needed to be added, nor taken away from His final products (from the natural perspective), but after sin infiltrated man’s domain, man had to be placed back on the potter’s wheel, to be molded properly into good spiritual form.

While I’m forever grateful, Christ came to redeem us back to God, I’m also grateful God is wise enough to understand, we’re still susceptible to making mistakes. Thankfully, God’s pottery wheel runs continually, and He’s always available to mold us back into good shape. At times, we’ll find ourselves doing some foolish, and dirty things, but God doesn’t mind getting His hands dirty, to help us look good again. So, we should learn to develop a greater appreciation for God’s mercy, and the patience He has, that allows us time to repent, and retake our desired form. Equally important is, the Holy Spirit, that acts as the water that keeps us moist, so that we’ll never harden with our mistakes, and blemishes.

No matter how scarred, or marred you get in this life, always remember, “🎶🎵 the Potter wants, to put you back, together again 🎵🎶” (The Potters House – Song by Tramaine Hawkins).