Psalm 139 Selected Verses (NKJV)
139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. ……
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Intrinsic [in-trin-sik, -zik] adjective
- belonging to a thing by its very nature: It is the value that an object has “in itself” or “for its own sake”
( i.e.the intrinsic value of a gold ring.)
Do you understand the value you have before you do or say anything? Do you realize that you have worth even while at rest if only because God says you do? Many of us do not understand our intrinsic value which was placed in us by God at the time of our creation. Each human being was fearfully and wonderfully made. God’s works are marvelous and you are one of those works. I have two stories to illustrate the importance of knowing who you are in Christ.
My wife Jean and I are foster parents. As such, we take care of other people’s kids. Many times, these young people were not imbued with confidence and self esteem. In fact it is quite the opposite. Riding along in the car seems to be one of the best places for deep discussion. We were riding along when one of our sons said “My father told me I am a worthless piece of s—t.” I was blessed with the ability to pause for thought at that point. After a few seconds, I began a response. I asked questions about all the accomplishments this young man had achieved one at a time. After 4-5 landmark accomplishments had been established, I asked “do you think your father could have been mistaken?”. What if that had not been discussed? Would this young man go through life believing he was worthless?
Another son told me he was no good. During the time I was putting him to bed, he told me that someone said he had the Devil in him. Who would speak to a little boy that way? Another moment of clarity from the Holy Spirit yielded a great result. We drew an imaginary chart of the things people said about him and what God says in His Word about us. I asked him for all the bad things that people had said and pretended to list them on the left. Then, I listed all the good things God says on the right. God’s list was much longer! After that, I asked him who he was going to believe; people or God? He chose to believe God! Who do you believe?
Please take another look at yourself as if through the eyes of the One who formed you! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are the image and likeness of God! You are one of His marvelous works! He loves you enough to give Himself up for you! That alone is reason to celebrate! Do you celebrate yourself? God does!
What have you accomplished? (He has given you gifts and talents.)
Whom have you helped?
Is your corner of the world a better place for you having been there?
Today is one of our son’s birthdays. It is a time to celebrate the life of one of God’s masterpieces. I would ask you to take another look at yourself today. You too are a masterpiece. It is time to celebrate you!
Lord, thank You that You created us all in Your image. We praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Open our eyes to your truth about ourselves and others. Thank You that You gave us intrinsic value. Thank You that, before we do or say anything, we have value in Your eyes. Help us to live today as the wonderful creations You made us to be. In Your name we pray!