We are God’s treasured possession
…today God has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure…De
uteronomy 26:18 (The Message)
How does God feel about his people? Throughout the Old Testament, he refers to them as his treasured, prized possession (Deuteronomy 7:6; Malachi 3:17 NIVUK). They are the apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10 NIVUK). The same is true in the New Testament: ‘…we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.’ (James 1:18 NLT).
Sometimes it’s difficult for us to believe that we are his treasured possession. When we think of things we have done, or things that have been done to us, it’s easy to reason that we are not special or worth very much at all. Our self-image can plummet if we dwell on those things or when we compare ourselves to others who seem to have their lives altogether. And yet God delights in us (Psalm 149:4 NIVUK), and rejoices over us (Zephaniah 3:17 NIVUK) – we are valued and cherished by him. How can that be?
First, we have been created in God’s image (Genesis.1:26), and as his image-bearers we have infinite value. We are not an accident but have been handcrafted individually and uniquely by God: ‘Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.’ (Psalm 139:13-16, The Message).
Secondly, God loves us so much that he sent his Son to reconcile us to himself (John 3:16). God knows what we are like, including our flaws and weaknesses, and the mistakes we have made, and yet while we were sinners, and God’s enemies, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8,10). That’s how special we are to him.
Knowing this should affect us in two ways: it gives us a healthy self-image that is based on how God views us and not ‘from a worldly point of view’ (2 Corinthians 5:16 NIVUK); no longer do we need to think too highly, or too lowly of ourselves. We no longer need to compare ourselves to anyone else as we are loved by God for who we are, and it also gives us the right perspective on other people, who God created and who Christ died for, recognising their value and worth, loving and esteeming them as God does.
What a difference that makes to how we live our lives.
Prayer
Loving Father, help us to see that we and all humanity are your prized possessions, treasured and loved by you. May this understanding guide the way we live, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Camberwell
The Salvation Army Hall
105 Lomond Grove
Camberwell
London SE5 7HN
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: camberwell@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church