Created by God?

It's quite easy to think that we are the top dog. 

As humans, we are the dominant species on the planet. We seem to dictate where other animals live, what the land and water is used for. We have inhabited a large portion of this planet and our population continues to increase and dominant the land and the Earths resources. We have adapted and grown, gecome more intelligent and created some amazing things. We are powerful beings.

Isaiah 64:8

O Lord, you are our Father; 

we are the clay, and you are our potter; 

we are all the work of your hand. 

So, why then does this say we are clay?  Soft, mouldable and vulnerable? 

That seems a bit ridiculous, when we have achieved so much, when we are so dominant and powerful! 

I guess the next question could be, how did we get this power? 

There must be a distinction between us and the other creatures that roam the Earth. Otherwise how would one creature seem to rule them all? Why would one species be so dominant?

When someone invents something, like an artist who creates wonderful paintings, they are distinctive. The artist seems to leave their own mark, their own stamp on their work. It is often easy to recognise a Picasso, or Dali painting for example because they have a particular style, they implant something of who they are into their work.

Similarly, could it be that we are the work of a creator? One who is creative and powerful themselves? With their own mark implanted in us, their own stamp upon us? 

Are we created in the image of One who is powerful? 

One who has imparted special favour, recognition and power to us?

That we are, even, created by God? 

Jesus understands

Isaiah 63:9

"In all their affliction he was afflicted, "

This verse is talking about Jesus, he too was afflicted, just like we are.

So, first of all, what is affliction? It's a cause of pain or harm.

As we suffer pain and harm, so has Jesus. Jesus had temptation and condemnation to deal with too. 

Even if we consider a brief summary of his life, we can see much that caused him harm and pain. 

To begin with; he was a refugee, his family fled for his and their safety. He grew up moving around. As Jesus got older he was also; disbelieved, mocked, beaten, tempted, falsely accused, homeless, betrayed and abandoned.

That sounds like affliction to me! 

Jesus had a lot to be in pain about. So, he can understand us in our affliction. He can truly empathise and walk with us in it because he's been there too.

The verse above tells us that as we suffer, as we experience pain and harm, Jesus also does. This can give us confidence that in our troubles, torment and turmoil we are not alone. 

Jesus understands. 

He has been there, and he is there with you in it. He can empathise and walk with you in it because, 'In all their(our) affliction he was afflicted'. It's not just sometimes here's there, he's there in ALL of it.