WE CAN COUNT ON GOD BUT CAN HE COUNT ON US?

Since we’re made in God’s image, we can know that He has emotions as we do. And the more time, talent, worship, and praise we give Him, the more joy He takes in us. A friend told me she thanks God for 50 things each day. A great habit, I’d say, to cause us to take conscious effort in focusing on Him rather than on our problems. Agreed?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

God counts us as important

I used to delight in picking blackberries in our woods and along the trail—until hordes of mosquitoes began to spoil my fun. Sometimes they were so bad I’d give up and go home, grumbling about the pesky biters. Once back home in the comfort of my mosquito-proof porch, however, I’d remember that God has a purpose even for those maligned critters. For one thing, if not for mosquitoes, a songbird’s diet would be slimmer. Yes, even the lowly mosquito counts for something.

God counted the Israelites as special, too. In fact, to protect them during their 40-year wilderness walk, He went before them each day as a pillar of cloud and each night as a pillar of fire to illuminate their way. When they finally reached the Promised Land, He asked Moses to take a census of the people. He wanted to count every single one – they were that important. We also matter to God, and are as precious and special to Him as the Israelites were—far more so than the mosquito.

At times we may feel abandoned by God. When trouble keeps knocking and won’t quit, we may think He has given up on us. Perhaps we believe we aren’t important to Him, or wonder what we did wrong to bring on such troubles. We may even question our worthiness in His sight. But if we continue to follow the life-lessons He gives us in His Word, we can be assured of His presence. His Word promises that He is around us, above us, before us, behind us and beneath us. Who else can make such a promise?

Psalm 139: 16 tells us: “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Jesus taught that the very hairs of our heads are numbered.

Here are more of God’s promises: "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore." (Psalm 125:2) "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27) "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21) "And I pray that you…may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…" (Ephesians 3:18)

Lord God, thank You for counting us worthy of Your sacrificial love. Help us to fully comprehend it so we will be compelled to love others as Jesus did. In His name we pray, amen.