Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31
"I really think I'll be working until I die. I'll be at work till the day they carry me out on a stretcher with a coroner's tag tied to my big toe."
Those are the discouraging words of Eddie Whitlock, a man whose dreams for retirement have gone down with his stocks and his 401(k).
Maybe you can identify with Eddie? According to a November 20th article carried by MSNBC, a lot of people do. The depressing news story spoke of how millions have had their plans for the future, for retirement, torn apart.
I have no doubt that all of the above examples are real. These are difficult days.
Even so, Christians need to keep a proper perspective. The positions we hold, or the money we've salted away, or the strength of our 401(k)s does not determine our self-worth.
We are blessed to have a Savior who told us we are far more valuable than the lives of many sparrows. That may not seem like much of a compliment. If that's the way you feel, then, please, take a look at just how valuable the Savior considers you to be. He thought you and your salvation so valuable and so important that He was willing to be sacrificed to save you.
You are so valuable that, in order to redeem you, He was willing to be beaten, spit upon, and crucified. He gave His life so you might have life.
This is why when the devil dishes out a heaping slop of hopelessness, despair, anger, and shame, you can tell him to "Get lost!" Jesus has shown your value, and we shouldn't let the devil take that away.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, the devil, the world, and our flesh are all trying to bring us down, make us feel worthless and of no account. Let us stand by Your side in Your trials and before Your cross. There let us know, and give thanks, that You have valued us, forgiven us, and saved us. In Your Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 40-41 2 Peter 3
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