There are times when in discouraged reflection, I wonder whether the words I've ever written or the things I've done have any real worth or value ... but it's then that I'm confronted to admit a humbling truth: MY words aren't the ones that really matter ...
The LORD's words are those that instigate and perform the work of His Kingdom - bearing light and life to a world in deep peril. They're true and they strike a chord in a heart and call attention to an inner issue of divine importance - a matter to be reconciled. They provoke and speak to the inner soul of a person bringing understanding, healing, unity and discernment. They bring about repentance, sanctification and new life - writing "forgiven" over the old. He might choose to speak them through us on occasion, but the glory of anything He might choose to accomplish whether in words or deed through any of us, still belongs to Him. It's our purpose fulfilling pleasure simply to serve Him willingly in committed relationship with Him.
My reflections in repose serve to remind me in the quiet of a short moment, that my service is only to repeat an already spoken truth in as many ways and in reverent context as often as the Spirit gives provocation. I am to have no design other than this in writing and no need beyond what's given and supplied. I am no work of my own and any gift, if any, that I may have received, was not intended for my own satisfaction ... but for His pleasure.
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
Even so, in unguarded moments, I struggle to find my human worth in my own microcosm of life at times under His watchful eye. The tormentor surreptitiously sneaks up to question me about it deeply on inopportune occasions and in the unfortunate presence of my withering human ego (he would interrogate me relentlessly if I let him). But in the heat of such questioning, the only reply available to offer in my defense and declaration of my worth - indeed the only one that any could offer, is one that I didn't earn or even work to receive ...
... The Son of God Most High gave His life to save mine because it gave The Father pleasure to have my company. I belong to Him. In this alone I find satisfaction to answer the question of my worth and to the worth of any that can claim it, for no higher price could ever be paid for a willing prisoner of Love's passionate affection. We can only offer that such is the worth and enduring fate of any ransomed by Christ regardless of their worldly stature..
And with that value - that grace rendered worth, my soul is well satisfied ... and ego has no rebutting argument ... and no place to stay. Torment suddenly beats a hasty retreat and is replaced by deep gratitude and adoration for my Redeemer. This value of worth placed on those who belong to the Lord cannot be removed and I only have to remember it myself in order to find contentment.
If at any time, you find yourself struggling with your own value - STOP. There's only one way to have true lasting worth and value - that's by accepting Christ's sacrifice and submitting to His Lordship over your life ... And if you've already done that ... relax - You're Priceless!!!
"Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.
“They will be my people,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Malachi 3:16-18 (NLT)
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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