From Dust and Grass to Everlasting

“The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:8-19

Man is the dust. When creation mingled with the fall, man was destined to physical life that would wither and fade and be snuffed in death. God’s glorious intent, marred by forbidden fruit, needed a Redeemer. (Genesis 2:7-8; 3:6-7)

And the Everlasting entered. He knew we were but dust, destined there to return apart from His gracious intervention. First in the seed, then in the servant, then in the Savior He came for us all, bridging the gap between earth and heaven, dust and eternity. In mercy, compassion, and steadfast love, He freed His own from finite to usher us into eternal life. (Genesis 3:14-15; Luke 1:26-38,46-50; 2:11)

For Christians, from salvation forward, expectations should be high and holy. Bodies may gradually wither, but how about soul and spirit? Our motives and methods, now fueled by a glorious God, compel manner and actions distinct from the world’s. With the press of life and flesh fit with limited vision, we tend to trudge and toil only for today’s reward. Yet the Lord calls us beyond toward better. He who is from everlasting to everlasting, high and lifted up, exalted above the heavens, deserves more than earthly plodding. (Psalm 90:1-2; 97:9; 113:4; Isaiah 6:1; Matthew 6:19-21; John 15:16)

Since we have been raised from certain doom, how are we living out our everlasting? What dusty habits, ill-driven impulses, ugly language, or prurient passions need be put to death? What landscape of our mind needs revamping to uproot self-deprecating mantras, constant criticism of others, and complaint? Will we keep climbing, persevering? (Colossians 3:1-17)

How distinct are our daily disciplines and practices, modes of entertainment, and demeanor from those of the world? Do we understand the difference between relating to people of dust, but not getting dirty in it? Earning the trust of those who watch and wonder is key to sharing our hope, yet it’s important we do not fall back into old ways. In what ways are we declaring the significance, purpose, and joys of everlasting life? (John 17:15-17; 1 Peter 3:15)

Lord, grant strength, focus, and zeal to live on but above the dust and grass of earth with a view of eternity and hope for Your glory.