Glory and Good

I recently picked up a new book.  Or, rather, I downloaded a new book onto my Kindle reader.  The book is written by Marva J. Dawn and is entitled, In the Beginning God: Creation, Culture and the Spiritual Life.  While I am only a third of the way through, I was struck by a phrase in her book that I thought worth sharing: All for the glory of God and the good of the world!  I find it intriguing that most or at least many folks who submerge themselves in the world of Genesis 1 - 3 exclaim this common theme - for God's glory and our good! 

It reminded me of a hymn/poem I recently read by John Newton (you know the 1700s Amazing Grace Newton); On Man in His Own Image Made.  The poem travels through the goodness of creation and the glory of God while exposing the fall and sin common to all.  It concludes in grand fasion by pointing to the redemption purchased in Christ and the good it provides humankind. 

While I am not familiar with its history or origin (reason for writing), it appears to me to have been birthed in his study of Genesis 1 - 3.  Enjoy the read and perhaps consider creation all over again as a story of God's Glory and Our Good!

On man, in his own image made, How much did GOD bestow? The whole creation homage paid, And owned him LORD, below!

He dwelt in Eden’s garden, stored With sweets for every sense; And there with his descending LORD He walked in confidence.

But O! by sin how quickly changed! His honor forfeited, His heart, from God and truth, estranged, His conscience filled with dread!

Now from his Maker’s voice he flees, Which was before his joy: And thinks to hide, amidst the trees, From an All–seeing eye.

Compelled to answer to his name, With stubbornness and pride He cast, on God himself, the blame, Nor once for mercy cried.

But grace, unasked, his heart subdued And all his guilt forgave; By faith, the promised seed he viewed, And felt his pow’r to save.

Thus we ourselves would justify, Though we the Law transgress; Like him, unable to deny, Unwilling to confess.

But when by faith the sinner sees A pardon bought with blood; Then he forsakes his foolish pleas, And gladly turns to God. John Newton