For His Glory!

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 2 Corinthians 4: 6, 7, NRSV.

Gracious God, we thank You for choosing us, “clay jars,” to show forth Your praise.  Please teach us how we can best reflect Your glory.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

How encouraging it is to know that we are encompassed on every hand with the armor of God, and the power of His might!  It is especially encouraging when you consider that we are mere “clay jars!”  That makes us rather fragile.  The psalmist put it this way, when talking about the way God deals with us, “As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.  For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103: 13, 14, NRSV, Emphasis provided).

It is rather interesting to note, that on more than one occasion, when referring to man’s frailty in the face of temptation, God makes mention of the element from which He formed man (dust).  In the Old Testament He refers to Himself as a Potter, and we as the clay (Jeremiah 18).  In our text for today, we are referred to as clay jars.  Let us take a quick look at the creation of man, in the beginning.  “then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2: 7). 

It is also noteworthy that dust alone is not sufficient to create a human being.  We always need the other part of man, the God-part!  The lump of clay needs a potter to form it.  The clay jars need the “extraordinary power of God.”  The man that God had formed from the dust of the earth needed God’s breath of life, to become “a living soul.”  This brings to my mind what someone has said, and what I truly believe, “In each of us there is a God-shaped hole, and man [or woman] will never be complete, until that hole is filled with God!”

Many people try to fill the hole with a spouse, or children, or a career, or a house; people or things!  But the results speak for themselves.  These people or things may bring temporary satisfaction; but they always need something more!  Many of us have heard the phrase:  “He or she has some mighty big shoes to fill.”  This implies that he or she may not be able to fill the position left by another person.  That has some truth to it, in the sense, that the person coming after, may not be as good as the person who left, or, they may be better!  However, nobody, will ever, be able to fill your, or my, God-shaped hole!

Who, but God, can comfort the soul when we are saddened by the cares of life?  Who, but God, can speak peace in the midst of the storms of life?  Who but God can heal the sin-sick soul?  If we can remember that we were created for fellowship with Jesus; if we can remember that we are called to bring Him glory; if we can recognize, that only Jesus satisfies, then, and only then will we be willing to “make room” for Him in our lives.  Then, and only then, will we find true, and lasting joy!

But, above and beyond that, it is good for our souls, that we recognize we are only dust; mere clay jars,  “so that [when we have overcome], it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”

*To my darling daughter Julie, I wish you a very happy birthday, and God’s richest blessings!  I love you dearly, and am blessed to have you as my daughter!  May God grant you an eternity more!    From all of us, Happy Birthday!