June 10 | Genesis 3:6, 14-19

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DAILY READING

Genesis 3:6

Genesis 3:14-19

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REFLECTION

DUST TO DELIVERANCE

By Beth Voltmann

Ever since Adam and Eve chose the creation over the Creator, we have been “in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves” as we often confess together in worship. In like manner, the creation itself is cursed, in bondage to decay, and groaning. (Romans 8: 21-22)

Notice the result of sin’s impact on humanity and creation as recorded in Genesis 3:

·      painful labor (v. 16)

·      cursed is the ground (v. 17)

·      painful toil (v. 17)

·      thorns and thistles (v. 18)

·      sweat of your brow...until you return to the ground (v. 19)

·      for dust you are and to dust you will return (v. 19)

A recent experience caused me to reflect on this in an unexpected way:

My husband and I made a weekend outing to his business to repair a dilapidated old wooden picnic table that his employees hoped to use. Once he finished the hard work of making it stable again, I decided to improve the appearance. Intent on freshening the graying wood and removing the algae, I began scrubbing with a wire brush and some good old elbow grease. Within 5 minutes of toil, my arm was aching and sweat was dripping from my forehead. I stopped for a rest, looked at the brush, and was surprised to find it was already clogged - not with bits of wood and algae - instead it just appeared to be filled with mud (wet dirt). The words from Genesis hit home...”to dust you shall return.” All of creation has been subjected to the curse by sin. As my mother used to say, “The whole world is going to pot!”

But God...

At the perfect time, in his perfect plan of salvation, the Creator sent his only Son. Jesus entered our dusty, dying world and took on our humanity. He toiled and sweat just as we do. He endured the pain and decay, willingly wearing the thorns of the curse on his head as he was nailed to a cross. He bore our punishment, and in doing so, shattered the power of sin and death.

Where, O death is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin,

and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God!

He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:55)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

It is difficult to read about the fall of creation that resulted from sin. Sadly, I know that I am no different from Eve - selfish, willful and disobedient – and I’m sure I would have reached for the fruit of that tree.

Thank you for your great love, forgiveness, and sacrifice for this world. You have promised to lead us from dust to deliverance if we will look to you and believe!

“I am the resurrection and the life.” 

(John 11:25)

Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.