The thought had been with me for quite a number of days …Â We are all image bearers. We bear the image of Christ. In creating man, God stamped His very image on each of us. Our worth stems from the truth God loves us because He created us and not based on anything we may or may not have done.Â
In her book 7 Days of Soul Care, Dolly M. Lee writes:
“Our worth doesn’t go up and down like the stock market.
Will we receive and believe God’s love for us? If we do, then we will believe we have inherent worth. When we believe our true identity as beloved, then we can be exceptional (connecting with our extraordinary God to be our best) in the ordinary things of our life.”
(from 7 Days of Soul Care by Dolly M. Lee, page 27)
The book has been such a breath of fresh air and one I highly recommend. The author brings us through daily reminders of our identity and worth in God. Each chapter is rich with Scriptures, quotes, a prayer, and journal questions to help deepen our understanding of God’s love for us.
One of the journal exercises is a reading of Psalm 139 which now brings several compelling reminders:
- God knows everything about me. He knows me fully and completely. There is no part of my life hidden from God’s line of vision. “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me” (verse 1).
- God knows everything I do. He knows when I sit down or stand up, when I travel and when I am at home. “You know everything I do” (verse 3).
- God knows everything I am going to say. “You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord” (verse 4).
- God places His hand of blessing upon my life. “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head” (verse 5).
- God is with me wherever I go. “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” (verse 7). There is not a single place where God is not present.
- God’s hand will guide me. Whether to heaven, to the grave, or to the farthest oceans, “even there your hand will guide me” (verse 10). I am never beyond the reach of God.
- God’s strength will support me. “… and your strength will support me” (verse 10). God will give strength for all things.
- God made me who I am. “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” (verse 13). God, much like an artisan, skillfully crafted me. Who I am is not by happenstance, but by His design.
- God has planned every day of my life. “Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (verse 16). The length of my life, the number of days I will draw breath, is already determined by my God. Nothing can cause this to be changed.
- God thinks about me. “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (verse 17).
We turn to this psalm to remind us of the preciousness of human life. But this time, it brought the powerful reminder of an infinite and powerful God. Every bullet point above pointing to our God who created every life and is orchestrating our lives with delicate precision that it is truly mind boggling.
This is a psalm that points me to God and to His attributes which are active in my life – His omniscience (His infinite knowledge), His omnipresence (present everywhere at the same time), and His omnipotence (limitless power).
An infinite God so personally involved in the lives of His finite people.
May we give our lives to Him who created us, knows us best, and loves us the most.
You can connect with Dolly M. Lee on her website SoulStops. You can also purchase a copy here. Your purchase goes toward supporting the rescue work of International Justice Mission.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman and Booknificent Thursday .
I love a good book, and this one definitely sounds good. I hadn’t heard of it, so thanks for sharing.
I am so glad you enjoyed thoughts on this book. I have been going through it slowly, taking in each of the days and it is wonderful and encouraging.
Joanne, I love the principles you highlighted from this book. Many of us, myself included, question our worth in God’s eyes based on our external circumstances. Studying John this year with BSF has helped me to be more secure in that area but I need to practice it every day. Taking apart Psalm 139 in this way makes this so much clearer, regardless of how I feel.
Thank you for sharing this book and these thoughts.
Janis
Janis, I was amazed at how a familiar Psalm breathed such a fresh word into my soul. The book has been a blessing to me and a reminder of how much we truly need to tend to our souls. Blessings!
We are enough, aren’t we? Because of HIM. Thank you for the thoughtful comment on today’s post. xo
I love these truths, thanks for sharing them to remind me. Oh and this book, I added to my list!
Jennie, this book has been a treasure to me as each page has a nugget of truth to be digested and mulled over. May it bless you!
Exceptional in the ordinary — this sounds like a message I need to keep in front of my eyes!
Thanks, Joanne, for reviewing Dolly’s book!
Michele, your comment made me realize how important it is to keep certain truths not only tucked in our minds but also in front of our eyes until they become ingrained in our hearts.
Joanne,
Thank you for so kindly reviewing my book. What a great surprise! I’ve fallen behind in my blog reading since being sick and preparing to teach Psalm 23 so you blessed me today.
Thank you <3
Hope you are feeling better, Dolly. The book has been a blessing to me and I know it will be a resource I turn to time and again. May God bless you as you teach!
This sounds like a refreshing read! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
Tina