Verse of the Day

“27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.“

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

Quote of the day

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”

– C.S. Lewis

Reflection

Have you ever questioned your value? Perhaps you are going through a difficult season and don’t feel God nearby (Psalm 22:2). Is it because you have distanced yourself from Him and His people (Hebrews 10:25)? Do you have doubts about your purpose in light of God’s word because you don’t have a clear path forward? Do you feel like you would find greater intimacy with God if you did more work for Him?

It’s safe to say most of us have experienced one or more of these sentiments at some point. We may feel we have to earn God’s support or approval. Our inclinations may lead us astray when we believe that we must perform in some way for God to value us. We don’t need to earn His support, attention, or love.

The truth is that God not only loves us unconditionally but also made us with intrinsic value. As a portion of today’s verse shares, “So God created man in His own image…” It’s easy to pass over this monumental declaration without processing its significance to us.

The Creator of the Universe decided that mankind would be the only part of His creation to hold this honor. Everything else, including our planet and animals, is His gift to us to exercise dominion over (Genesis 1:26). He wants us to steward these gifts with care and to do our best when we use them.

God provides for animals. Take a look at this memorable verse from Matthew:

“26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Matthew 6:26

God knows that we require sustenance to survive. Based on the prior verse (Matthew 6:25), it’s clear that God assures us there’s nothing to worry about. If He provides for the birds, how much more will He attend to our needs?

It’s in Matthew 6:31-33 that we come to recognize our duty. Relinquish your desire to worry and embrace God’s provision. Seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first. Everything else will come into alignment according to His will. It’s easier said than done, but over time, we will get better at surrendering our worries to God.

There’s no need to retain the illusion of control when our Maker is sovereign. When we doubt this, we must draw nearer to Him in prayer and reading His word. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing from God’s word (Romans 10:17).

Application

The next time you think you don’t measure up, think about God’s love for you (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). We can’t comprehend its vastness, but we can still appreciate it to the extent He reveals it to us. Instead of wondering whether God values you for your accolades, performance, service, or any other action, remind yourself that Christ died for you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8).

Of course, none of this should serve to discourage us from Godly works. Instead, it should provide peace, joy, and security in Him. Our faith may falter (Luke 22:32). Our actions could fall short (Romans 3:23). Our sins are numerous in His sight (Luke 7:47). But His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are still available to us. We are still His children, heirs, and co-heirs with Jesus Christ, even though we don’t deserve it (Romans 8:17).

Nobody should wait for improvement before coming to God. You are priceless (Mark 8:36-37), and if you haven’t come to saving faith, every passing minute is an opportunity to do so. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), tomorrow is not promised (James 4:13-16)!

Those of us who haven’t done so should come to Him and seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). Then His justification (declared righteousness) will pave the way for a life of sanctification (growing more Christ-like). A life that is now saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I hope we all find a fresh dose of inspiration from God. I pray that He would empower us to accomplish His will (Philippians 2:13), serve Him with everything we have to offer (1 Corinthians 15:58), and find rest in Jesus Christ when we are weary (Galatians 6:9).

Anytime we doubt our worth, we must remember that we are precious to God. Don’t find your identity in anything other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Otherwise, you will be trapped in idolatry and inclined to find it in all the inferior things this world offers (1 John 2:16).

Even if you find it in something honorable in the eyes of society, like work, academic excellence, marriage, or elite skills in any activity, you may lose it somehow. But if you find it in Jesus Christ, and the fact that you are an image-bearer of God, you will never go wrong. Nothing can ever compromise your intimacy with God. Not even death can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).

In light of this, we must all keep our sights fixed on Jesus Christ and any eternal value we can offer as ambassadors of Jesus Christ (John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 5:20). If we have the privilege to grow old, that is what we will look back on and never regret (Proverbs 16:31).

Ultimately, we must redeem our time here on earth and find sustenance in God for His mission (Ephesians 5:16-17, Psalm 55:22, Philippians 4:19). That includes reassurance of His love for us, our value in His eyes, and His abundant grace when we fall short (Psalm 73:26).

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for reminding me of my value in Your sight. Your word tells me I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ. It also informs me that You made me in Your image. These realities of Your generosity towards Your children are nothing short of breathtaking.

Who am I that You are mindful of me, dear Father? I don’t deserve You, but I am so thankful. Please help me to show You my gratitude by living for You and Your glory. Please help me remember not to think of myself more highly than I ought to and to esteem others more highly than myself when I feel pride.

You are the One who has blessed me with all that I have, and I want to serve You with all of it without reservation. Please help me balance these desires to redeem the time for Your glory with adequate rest and personal awareness of my limitations. Father, I want to serve You in my capacity and beyond with Your help.

Thank You for helping me manage my time and energy in reasonable ways. You’ve gone above and beyond to protect, provide, and guide me. Thank You for Your unconditional love and supernatural provision.

Without You, I would not find it plausible to have endured half of what I have battled in my life. However, You have seen fit to spare me from severe pain, heal me from traumatic events, and restore me gently back to You when I have strayed.

I am thankful You decided to save my life a few times when the situations were dire. Only You know how many more times You have decided to protect me in similar ways that I may not even know about.

All these facts prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that You value me and have a purpose for my life. Thank You for revealing at least a part of that plan. I pray that You help me remain adaptable and willing to accomplish Your will. I don’t know where I would find myself without You, Your Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Thank You for never abandoning or forsaking me. You deserve all the honor, glory, and acknowledgment I can ever provide and infinitely more.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.