YOUR VALUE
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
You matter to God. Of course, you expect to hear something like that in church or a devotional. But do you believe it?
In the passage above, we see the words of Jesus in His longest-recorded public sermon. He refers to birds and flowers. These seemingly insignificant things are richly cared for by the Father. Jesus speaks further about birds in Matthew 10:29-30 (NLT), where He says: “What is the price of two sparrows— one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
God sees, knows, loves and cares for the sparrows. He sees, knows, loves and cares for the lilies of the field. And He sees, knows, loves and cares for you because you are made in His very image (Genesis 1:27) and are therefore infinitely more valuable to Him than a bird or flower.
APPLICATION:
Commit to reading that portion of the Sermon on the Mount for the next several days. Ask God to make it clear to you how much He loves and cherishes you. Consider listening to the classic hymn His Eye Is On the Sparrow.
PRAYER:
God, help me to know in the depths of my soul how much You value me. Then help me to operate out of that place of love and acceptance. Grow my faith and love for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?