For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV)
Series Focus: “Through His Eyes”
Priceless. Do you have a special something that means so much to you, no amount of money could tempt you to sell it? Maybe it’s an item only you see the value in. In fact, truth be told, others may see this “thing” as garbage. I have that something. When I was sixteen my grandfather passed away. He was the best person I knew, and anyone who knew him would agree. He was strong, yet compassionate. He was firm, yet tender. There wasn’t a moment I spent with him that I didn’t feel completely loved, cherished and priceless in his eyes.
He loved the TV guide crossword puzzles. Every week he would call me for help and every week I looked forward to that call. When he died, you better believe I snatched up an old stack of those rubber-banded guides. I treasure them because of the memories they hold, but to a stranger they are most definitely recyclable materials. Have you ever felt recyclable, or maybe replaceable?
There are times we don’t feel worth much. We live in the shadows, hoping no one will notice—because if they did—we might have to face our fear of feeling not good enough. After all, what do we have to offer? Why do we matter in the big picture of things? Wait – Do we matter? God says a resounding “YES!”
Chapter after chapter, scripture paints the picture of how valuable we are, but we keep looking elsewhere for our value. We look for worth in our good deeds, our friends, even our jobs. In these places we will never find what we’re looking for. We make sacrifices for those we love almost daily. Yet, we miss the greatest one that was made for us! We do matter. We are worthy of love and grace. We are the redeemed of the Lord and we are forgiven. On our own, we may feel unworthy, even unloved, but Jesus gave His life that we might live as forgiven children of God. We are worthy.
Look at what Jesus says in these passages:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV)
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26 NIV)
Jesus was looked at as unworthy, despised, rejected, and held in low esteem. He feels our pain and sorrows. He knows the price of freedom, forgiveness and mercy. He is the only one who can cleanse us and make us whole and worthy!
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)
I urge you, sisters, to evict the lie that you are worthless and insert the truth of who you truly are. You are more than the number of friends you have on social media. You are more than your accomplishments. You are more than the money in your bank account. You are worth more than many sparrows!
You are a beloved, treasured possession of God. You are priceless.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Psalm 103:11-12; Matthew 10: 29-31; Matthew 6:26; Isaiah 53; 1-1 John 1:9