Personal reflection of God’s word… “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isa. 28:9-10)

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Part 4a (1st Half)

Isaiah 43:1-26 Series: Chosen, Redeemed and Restored

Value and Self-Worth: How Does God See You?

(Isaiah 43:4a)

In sports, an MVP award is a special honor presented to the best performing player(s) in a league, competition or on a specific team. Due to their impressive skill and notable instincts, they are considered to be highly valuable to the success of the team. In life, everything we consume has value…it’s determined by the price a person is willing to pay for an item. Animals carry value too. Pets are regarded as highly valuable to pet-lovers across the globe for their pleasant companionship and overwhelming loyalty. Many are even elevated to the status of family! How valuable are you? What determines your worth?

Many people allow society to determine their worth. Their perceived value increases based on the level of prestige they hold, the amount of money they have, the number of titles they wear, the farther their influence reaches, the more “friends” or “followers” they have, the type of connections they secure, the sort of work they do, the number of places they’ve traveled, the amount of degrees they’ve obtained, how fit or talented they are, the kind of vehicle they drive, and even where they live and the size of their home. 

So many people allow other people, or even circumstances, define who they are as an individual. However, people are imperfect and full of fallacies; and circumstances are unpredictable, subjective and we ultimately have very little control over most factors surrounding them. As a result, a person’s self-image waivers back-and-forth and up-and-down like a roller coaster at Six Flags. One minute they’re elated, feeling like they’re on top of the world and can take on anything that comes their way; then, they receive a bad report or have an argument with a loved one and they fall into a depressive slump. We, as emotional beings easily influenced by our surroundings and circumstances, vitally need an objective, stable, and reliable standard upon which we can accurately measure our self-worth.  God is holy, righteous, loving, honest and unchanging. What does He say about us?

“Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.” – Isaiah 43:4

We are precious in God’s sight. In other words, we are of great value and worth to God, and are not to be wasted or treated carelessly. God paid a high price for us…a life for a life. And not just any life, God’s own life was paid in exchange for ours; therefore, God valued our life above His own. There is no greater value than this. God felt strongly that we all were worthy of saving. Not only that, but we were also worth His time, His patience, and His suffering.

When I was growing up, my parents always insisted that I only take as much as I could eat and to finish everything on my plate. They warned me not to be wasteful. Many times, we have come across someone who has displayed significant potential in one thing or another, and we’ve urged them, “Do not waste your talent.“ In addition to the gift of life, each of us has been given a variety of gifts that are perfect for carrying out the plans and purposes God has for our lives.

“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:5-8

These gifts are not for personal gain or self-fulfillment, they are for supporting and strengthening God’s kingdom here on Earth. These gifts, along with our personal strengths and hidden talents, allow us to carry out the important calling God has placed on each and every one of our lives.

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” – Ephesians 4:12

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10

“…let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:11

Let us not be wasteful with the gifts God has given us.

Let us also not be careless with our lives. When handling fragile, delicate and expensive items, we are cautious to do so with the utmost care, gentleness, and thoughtfulness. With lives as precious and valuable as the one’s God has given us, we should likewise, show ourselves worthy of the same careful handling. Reckless living causes significant, and sometimes irreversible, damage to a person’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. We can lose sight of the purpose and calling God has on our lives (the very reason for our existence), begin to develop an emptiness that cannot be satisfied, escaped or ignored, or become a source of discouragement to those around us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” – James 1:16-17

“today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” – Deuteronomy 26:18-19

“Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.” – 1 Chronicles 29:12

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands…” – Psalms 8:4-6

“So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:27

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

 “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead…make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:20-21

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself…he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:21

There are 2 more qualities God eludes to in Isaiah 43:4…

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Check out Part 4b (2nd Half)

*My apologies for the abrupt pause; there was just too much content associated with this 1 verse, so I decided to split it into 2 parts – an “a” part and a “b” part.