"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7).

If we are ever to become the Lord's garden, a flower that is sweet-smelling to Him, we must know what we are, and always would be, without Him.  We are nothing but dust and ashes (Gen. 18:27).  Of what use, of what value, is dust and ashes?  

We are so filled with pride and love of self when we are born into the world that only a powerful work of God can make us know, and believe, that we are nothing in ourselves.  "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself" (Gal. 6:3)

Our great value is only in God, in being His, and then being just a vessel - an earthen vessel made of dust - to receive, enjoy, and manifest the glory of God.  We will only be enabled to do this if we are nothing in ourselves; continually seeking to find our all in God.  

It is only he that humbles himself that shall be exalted (Lk. 14:11).  The Lord, Himself, is the proof of this truth.  It is only he that humbles himself as a little child that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:3-4).  The Lord will work this grace in us as we seek Him with a desire to be conformed to His image.  

It will be a great struggle at first until we learn the joy of dying to self to live for Him.  But fear not, the Lord pities us because He knows that we are nothing but dust (Psa. 103:13-14).  Continue to look for opportunities to humble yourself in the sight of God and He will lift you up in due time (I Pet. 5:6).  Let us glory in our weakness that the strength of Christ may rest upon us (II Cor. 12:9). 

Let us be exceedingly thankful that we are not just dust, but His dust, made in His image, precious in His eyes - His sweet-smelling garden!!!