"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3: 16 (ESV)
There is a reason why we are to study, meditate on, and hide Scripture in our hearts beloved. Far too often I hear single Christians lament that words like these grow trite in their ears. Seriously? You have no problem with the virgin birth. No problem with the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Walls of Jericho. No problem with the empty tomb and the resurrection. You just can't believe anything potentially positive about you. Here is another nugget of deep theology for today -- get over yourself. Yes the Bible says that He numbers the very hairs on our head. No struggle is wasted and He collects our very tears! While we were still in outright rebellion towards Him, He still went to the cross and died for us! That God loved us so that He would sacrifice His only begotten Son for our salvation! When you truly understand these things two things should supernaturally happen. One you recognize that this is not about us but about Him and His grace. These revelations should humble us, not puff us up with pride. Secondly, it should cement our value in Christ. That the grace of the Creator of the entire universe is poured out for my behalf? And I am going to let Suzie Jones decision to break up with me make me feel less than? Or you are going to let the way John Smith treated you to determine that you are somehow worthless? Get over yourself. God decided your value already and if you lost it, turn back to Christ because it is found in Him and Him alone.
That brings us to our key verse for today. We hear it a lot but I doubt we stop to really take into consideration what it should mean for us as believers in Jesus Christ. I want us to really listen today to what the Psalmist was writing when God had him pen these words. In the original Hebrew, the word "fearfully" here means with great reverence, heartfelt interest and respect. Beloved, you were made with great reverence, respect and heartfelt interest. Sometimes we dumb things like this down into trite sayings like, "God don't make junk." Oh it is so much more than that. You were not some casual afterthought even if your last boyfriend treated you that way. God made you with heartfelt interest even if your last girlfriend seemed to lose interest. God created you with respect even if your former spouse had none. Don't you dare let other people's cheapness cheapen the value God has created you with.
Lastly, in the original Hebrew, the word "wonderfully" here indicates unique, set apart, and marvelous. Please remember, this is not an exercise in blowing up our egos. This speaks to the grace and love of our Father but think about your intrinsic value to God. When one sinner repents there is a celebration in heaven! When one sheep wanders off Jesus leaves the 99 to find him. The father scours the horizon for a glimpse of his wayward son returning home. Daughter you are unique even if your last boyfriend failed to recognize it. Son you are marvelous even if your last girlfriend treated you far far less. We are set apart from the carnality of this world and were created as such. It is high time, starting this Valentine's Days that we step into our value in Christ. Not that we expect a queen or a prince but because we serve the King. Note how the key verse ends though because therein lies the key. If wonderful are His works then that includes us but the Psalmist admits that he knows this only because his soul knows it very well. The fact of the matter is our Spirit always knows it because our Spirit is what bears witness to the truths in the Word of God. Our spirit always knows our value in Christ because our Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. Our soul sometimes needs a little reminder.
Beloved, never let anything except the Spirit of God inside you define your value. Make sure your soul knows it very well. Very well indeed. Happy Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Day!
Reverend Anthony Wade -- February 9, 2017