All People Are Precious To God

"Today's Devotion" For June 21, 2005

Read: Romans 8:28-39; Psalm 72

ALL PEOPLE ARE TRULY PRECIOUS TO GOD

"He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight." (Ps. 72:14)

What do you consider to be your most valuable, most prized possession? It could be "any ole' thing" like a brooch from a mother or grandmother, a watch from a father or grandfather, perhaps a pearl necklace or a wedding ring. Maybe it's your bank account, your home, your car, or a boat or other such bauble. You'll notice the foregoing list of things is pretty "old hat," in that it's the kind of list we might find in movies or literature, romanticizing such possessions. There's no doubt that there are a whole lot of very valuable things in the world. Depending on each of our perspectives, those things take on differing levels of value to each of us. We each have a differing view of things like gold, silver, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, oil and money, for while all have a "wealth value," not all may have intrinsic value to one or more of us. It's certainly true that most people place great value on these things. Large quantities of any of them can control nations, politics, and the events of the day. People are killed so that others might possess large quantities of these "valuables," while others spend their lives pursuing the "wealth" that such things bring. At the same time, in many parts of the world, all the "wealth value" in the world can't hold a candle to just being able to eat some food because people are starving.

While the aforementioned list reflects things of great monetary and "wealth value" to the vast majority of people, when people are starving such things become worthless. When people are dying from sickness, disease, starvation, and a host of natural disasters that affect people, most particularly in the poorest of nations, such things have no value or worth. Instead food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and a host of other, mundane items of human existence carry much greater value and worth for those in need. We might remember how excited people living along the coast of the Indian Ocean were when they would find a child or other loved one alive after the devastation of the tsunami more than six months ago. More precious than gold, more lasting than silver, more valuable than emeralds, rubies, or pearls, more enduring than diamonds, and more desired than oil or money are those who were found alive and returned to the bosom of their families. Only in the midst of trial and tribulations do we human beings finally appreciate what truly valuable and precious in our lives. When it comes to possessions and keepsakes that we hold dear, none can hold a candle to the value and worth of a human life.

Our heavenly Father, Who holds the whole universe in the palm of His hand, holds every person on earth to be of the greatest value and worth. Each of us is precious in His sight, so much so that He's "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter. 3:9b). Of such great value and worth, and so precious to Him are we, that from the beginning of the world He planned for our salvation - planned to redeem every human being from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan. Our Lord Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection was planned before time began so that all people, everywhere, through faith in Jesus, might be redeemed to God.

Our Father holds us in the palm of His hand and there's nothing in all of creation that can snatch us away from Him. In all things He works for our good and assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We are each of great value and worth, "precious in His sight," so that even the very hairs on our heads are numbered. So precious does our Father in heaven hold us that He willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son, Jesus, on the Cross so that we might be saved. In the same way we are also of great value and worth to our Savior who took the punishment we each deserve for our sins upon Himself so that we might be saved. Take courage and hope, no matter the trials and tribulations of life; no matter the "oppression and violence" you might suffer for your faith. You are "precious in His sight" and He will not let you be lost.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to take away my sin. Lead me to greater service to You and others in Jesus' name because I am confident in Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in my life. Help me to truly live for You and love others in Your name as one who knows how precious and valuable I and every human being are to You. Give me the faith to understand that You will never let me fall. By Your mercy and grace, dear Father, send Your Word and Spirit into my life daily so that I may continue to grow in Your grace and love. Lead me to trust You more fully each day for the sake of Christ, my Savior and Lord, in Whose precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.