18 JANUARY
Ruins restored
‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’ Genesis 1:26
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Genesis 1:26–2:3
The subject we are upon is so mysterious and so briefly related that it would be easy to start curious speculations—but it is our wisdom to avoid an attempt of being wise above what is written. Let us fix to what is profitable.
(i) Cause for lamentation: How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed!… The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers … (Lamentations 4:1–2). What an awful difference—instead of dominion, misery and confusion. Instead of the moral image of God, the image of Satan full drawn upon the soul. Nothing remains but immortality and capacity—and these constitute our wretchedness, so that if men have no more than sin has left them, they will one day wish they had been dogs or toads to crawl upon the earth awhile and then be for ever forgot.
(ii) Cause of praise: to say, ‘Blessed be God for Jesus Christ—this ruin is under his hand.’ He is come that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly [John 10:10]. Believe in him and your souls shall live.
FOR MEDITATION:
Oh! When flesh and heart shall fail,
Let thy love our spirits cheer;
Strengthened thus, we shall prevail
Over Satan, sin and fear:
Trusting in thy precious name,
May we thus our journey end;
Then our foes shall lose their aim,
And the Judge will be our Friend.
SERMON SERIES: GENESIS, NO. 3 [4/4], GENESIS 2:7
