Like the Earth, the Redeemed
Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?
As the light approaches,
the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal;
it is robed in brilliant colors.
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Redeemed man is like the earth.
Though he is of mere clay, living waters spring forth from him, the breath of [eternal] life fills him, and power not his own upholds him.
He stretches out the north over the void
and hangs the earth on nothing.
‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Yes, redeemed man is like the earth.
Surrounded by vast darkness, the Light of the sun (Son) of righteousness awakens him, renews him every morning, adorns him, guides him while it is night, and shines through him while it is day—though he was once dark and void.
Like the earth, an axis, a continual turning, and seasons mark him. A humble, contrite heart, inclines toward Christ, and continual repentance along the path ordained by the Son preserves him.
And like the earth, it is when he tilts away from the Son that winter comes.
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”
And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.
And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him,
“Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”
And he went out and wept bitterly.
And like the earth, fruit comes forth from him, not perishable fruit of clay’s flesh, but imperishable fruit of the Spirit.
And like the earth, redeemed man is turned up underneath as fire!
"The earth, from it comes food,
And underneath it is turned up as fire."
Redeemed man’s innermost being burns with blazing love to Christ!
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God;
if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
For the love of Christ controls us...
But if I say, “I will not remember Him
Or speak anymore in His name,”
Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
And I am weary of holding it in,
And I cannot endure it.
Though just humble clay, redeemed man glorifies Christ because, like the earth, he is filled with power and clothed in majesty not his own, but of Christ!
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your godly ones sing for joy.