In the message “More Than Grasshoppers” we considered the spies who were sent into the promised land to evaluate the enemy. We saw that without a proper understanding of God and how we fit into His plan, the enemies in our life will always appear as undefeatable giants.
This sense of walking among the giants causes many of us to struggle with insecurities, low self-esteem, and general feelings of inadequacy. While it’s true we are called to, “in humility consider others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3), we also must walk with a sense of identity, purpose, and worth. And while it’s true that in the context of eternity we are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14), this seemingly insignificant “mist” is dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe.
Our real sense of identity, purpose, and worth, will only be realized as we understand that our value is never attained through the things of this world which all pass away. Our value comes only from our Heavenly Father who has adopted us as His child and made us an heir of His Kingdom!
Romans 8:15-17
“You received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
The eternal inheritance we receive through this adoption makes everything of the world seem extremely insignificant. We are a child of God! This is our identity. While we walk on this earth, we are being “conformed into the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). This is our purpose. And in our adoption, we are made “co-heirs with Christ.” This is our worth!
As this world tries to pull us down, let’s remember our Father owns ALL; “Every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). He owns it all, created it all, and nothing is beyond His reach. As others try to continually show us our faults and put us down, let’s remember that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us; one day we will be made perfect and walk down streets of “pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21).
Let’s pull these truths together into a victorious Christian life. Let’s hold on very loosely to anything of the world which artificially determines our worth and passionately cling to our worth in Christ; “For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Let’s live our life as a “vanishing mist” while remembering we are co-heirs with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. Let’s always remember that we are indeed a highly valued mist.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Jan 12 Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10
*****************************************************