The verse for today is: Romans 8: 31-34 (The Message) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.
This is such an encouraging passage for me! Do you ever struggle with your value? I do. It seems to be a constant battle for me. One minute I feel good about myself... feel like I’m accomplishing something...making a difference. The next moment, I’m asking God, “ what am I doing here? How am I even coming close to making some kind of an impact for you?” The enemy knows my weakness all too well and attacks me in that “value” place over and over. He’s clever and creeps in under the radar when I’m least expecting it, or when I’m tired and weak. Over the years of fighting this battle, I’ve realized that I’m looking for the praise and value of man, not of God - and I’m not trusting the value that He has placed on me. I had a “coming to Jesus!” prayer experience several years ago where Jesus literally healed me of my “pleasing” tendencies. I was a pleaser and thought that if I pleased people - they would consider me important and valuable to be around. Crazy huh? Old wounds in my past and the way I grew up caused an ugly stronghold on me in this area that I struggled with greatly. The day Jesus healed me from that was one of the free-est days of my life and I’ve never gone back to that place. There are still however, scars from all of that past gunk and that’s where the enemy still tries to lie to me about my value and who I am.
This short little 4 verse passage in Romans contains all the ammunition I need to fight against the lies! God did put everything on the line for me and for you. If He sent His own Son to die for us, how can we not trust His love and how valuable we are to Him. I love knowing that I am one of God’s chosen. And that no one and no enemy has power over me because of Jesus. And you know when you are praying for help, but you don’t really know what to ask for or how to fight against the devil’s schemes?.... Saying “help” is enough. Jesus intercedes for us, hears us, sticks up for us, and answers. God IS on our side and He gladly and freely protects us, cradles us, and dismisses the charges against us! We serve a big and powerful God that has ALL RESOURCES at His fingertips. So I am going to act like a conqueror, act like a pearl, trust His power, be humbled by His sacrifice, and receive His value. I don’t know about you, but memorizing this passage and having it ready to use at any given moment, sounds like a wise thing to do! The enemy will not be able to stand!
Thank you Lord for your sacrifice. Thank you for the value you place on me, even when I struggle with receiving it. Help me to trust your word, to trust who you are, to daily be humbled by your death and resurrection and to stay in awe that I am a chosen one. I love you -
How did this passage strike you today? Did God speak to you about something specific? How’s your “value” place today? I would love to hear your heart.
Denise