You are of Great Value--Oh, How He Loves You and Me (Day Thirty-nine)

I awoke today with the verse from Luke 12:27 flowing though my mind:

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith." Luke‬ ‭12:27-28
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Last night I dreamed that I had a home in the most beautiful setting. The beauty of the trees and the snow-capped mountains took my breath away. God’s artistry in creation overwhelmed my senses. God clothed the Earth in radiant beauty and glorious splendor and yet His Word says that He has “all the more clothed us."

As I’ve spent the past forty days yielding to the work of the Spirit in my life, I have experienced an awakening to the reality of my personal value and to the greatness of God’s love for me. This awakening has been like receiving royal robes and white linens that have clothed me anew. When God looks upon me, and upon you, He sees such splendor and beauty—far more than even the most beautiful setting on Earth.

If we are of such great value then why do we fear or fret about the earthly things? We are eternal beings who have been clothed with a heavenly love that will never be removed. We are the inheritance of Jesus, His radiant bride who takes His breath away. He cares for every need we have while here on Earth.

When I was a teenager my life was very difficult. I felt that I had no value or worth. A man at my high school began telling me about having a relationship with Jesus. i had never heard of such a thing. At that time, I was given an album by the Christian artist Keith Green. Though I did not yet know the Lord, I would listen to one particular song over and over. The words of the song caused me to weep and experience a washing that I did not understand. It was as if the words to this song would clothe me and cover me in worth and great value. Here are the lyrics to that song,

My son, My son, why are you striving?
You can’t add one thing to what’s been done for you
I did it all while I was dying
Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start
I want to rain upon you
Blessings that will fill your heart
I see no stain upon you
Because you are my child and you know me
To Me you’re only holy
Nothing that you’ve done remains
Only what you do for Me

My child, My child, why are you weeping?
You will not have to wait forever
That day and that hour is in My keeping
The day I’ll bring you into heaven

My precious bride, the day is nearing 
When I’ll take you in My arms and hold you 
I know there are so many things that you’ve been hearing 
But you just hold on to what I have told you

For when I hear the praises start, My bride, 
I want to rain upon you 
Blessing that will fill your heart 
I see no stain upon you 
Because you are My child and you know me 
To me you’re only holy 
Nothing that you’ve done remains 
​Only what you do in Me
(“When I Hear the Praises Start” by Keith Green)

I have not thought of that song in many years, but as I awoke today with the verse from Luke 12 in my mind, it ushered me back to the days when I first discovered how much He loved and valued me. It awakened first love again. It brought me back to the days in my youth when the words to that song began to cover my shame and nakedness, bringing me into the greatest and purest love I’d ever known.

These past forty days have rekindled first love. The Spirit of God has reminded us of the greatness of His love toward us and how greatly we are valued. We do not need to worry, strive, or weep for we are His children, we are His bride. We have been clothed in the splendor of His love and we are held by the arms of a God who will never let us go.

I will close with the words from Isaiah 40,

“O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40:27-31‬ ‭

Our strength is found in the greatness of His love for us. His love gives us wings to soar and strength for the journey ahead.
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Oh, how He loves you and me!
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