You Matter To God

Psalm 139:1-5 – You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. (NIV 2011)

I've written two previous devotionals on the London transit service's slogan, "Every Journey Matters", the first focusing on the word "Every" and the second on the word "Journey". A reader of the Daily wrote to me recently and challenged me to write on the word "Matters", and that does seem like the right thing to do, because really, that's what it's all about.

Many of us have spent a lifetime in the church — from Sunday School as children through to adulthood — and we have heard the gospel message many times. But as a minister said to me a few weeks ago, sometimes it gets to the point that the message goes in one ear and out the other!

Some years ago, I was part of a small prayer group led by a seminary student. He spoke to us about just that issue, and we read and prayed together over Psalm 139, which has now become one of my favourite passages. In it, God assures us that He knows us thoroughly and completely, and that there are no secrets from Him. That can be a bit scary, because, although it means that He knows all the good things about us, He also knows the not-so-good things — the things that we'd rather keep to ourselves. The miracle, however, is that even in light of all of that — the good and the not-so-good — we are blessed with the unending love of almighty God!

Psalm 121:5-8 – The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV 2011)

So if you are going through a rough patch (and we all do, sometimes), remember that each of us does matter to God — that you matter to God. Regardless of what you may be going through, regardless of what you have done, regardless of the obstacles that you may face, God knows you and loves you. God will protect you. Turn to God with confidence!

Prayer: Loving God, we are grateful that You know us so completely, and more grateful yet that You love us so completely. Please help us to remember Your Word and Your promises to us, that we might face our lives with confidence and hope. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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