SAND DOLLAR - GOD'S MERCY AND PEACE

There is no creature on the face of the earth that needs more mercy than the sand dollar. The sand dollar is actually slower than a turtle. At least a turtle has a hard shell to protect itself from predators. The sand dollar not only is slow, it's delicate. Just the slightest pressure and it breaks.

Have you ever noticed a sand dollar has a star shape in the middle with five slots on the outside?

It's not a coincident the number five is displayed twice on the sand dollar. One set of five is on its legs and the other set of five is the slots around the edge.

This little creature's only protection is to bury itself under the sand, clone itself or swallow sand. It will swallow sand to make itself appear larger. The reason it clones itself is so it can split itself and appear smaller to the predator. Many times the predator will leave and look for larger meals.

Is it surprising to you the number five stands for mercy? Looking at the sand dollar we see it is a creature in great need of God's mercy. The five slots on the outside represent mercy.

When we break the sand dollar apart, we will find five skeletons that look like doves. There is one inside of each leg. These dove represents peace.

If we look into the scripture we will notice mercy and peace are like two best friends. We see them together many times. Mercy means the kindness and love of God that washes our sins away. Peace means the harmony between two parts, or free from any external or internal strife. Nothing slipped past God when he created the world, not even the sand dollar and its delicate make up.

When we come to know Christ as our savior we must do as the sand dollar, put off the old man. Once the sand dollar splits it is able to produce new parts. We will never be able to put on the new man unless we are willing to put off the old man.

Mercy and peace are the two things we need to have in order to receive grace. First of all, we need the mercy of God to wash our sins away.

Secondly, we will come into harmony with the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are willing to do this then grace is able to walk in and supply us with God's unmerited favor.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. (Ephesians: 4:22-27)