Today’s Truth

Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7 NIV)

 

 

Friend to Friend

It’s common for us to doubt our value and significance. Yet, in Psalm 144 David is struck by the mind-blowing reality that the God of all creation, the One who bids billions of stars to shine in the heavens and commands the powerful waves of the oceans to stop at the waters’ edge, cares for wee-little humans like you and me.

The very thought of it leaves me breathing deeply, shaking my head in wonder with the psalmist. “O Lord, what is a human that you care for him, a son of man that you would think of him?” (Psalm 144:3 CSB)

Jesus had a lot to say about this topic. When it comes to knowing the value God places on us, and the way He cares for us, let’s turn to Jesus’s comments about sparrows. Do you know much about these little birds? They’re a dime a dozen. Highly common. Highly overlookable. The way many of us women might feel on any given day. Look at what Jesus had to say in reference to both ordinary little sparrows (and you):

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7).

For context, Luke 12:1 tells us that Jesus was addressing “a crowd of many thousands” when He spoke of the value God sees in each person. Many thousands. The rich. The poor. The average. The misfits. The bland. The spicy. The employed. The unemployed. The talented. The crippled. The lonely. The well. The sick. The married. The widowed. The single. The stressed-out. The curious. The masses! This wasn’t just a pep talk to encourage His besties! He was talking to the gamut of humanity. This is important because it makes those words He spoke that much more amazing.

Think about what He said! You know those sparrows that are sold in the marketplace for next to nothing? Those overpopulated little flyers? My Father doesn’t forget even one of them! He remembers them all.

You know what this means, don’t you? God remembers and sees you too.

You. Have. Value.

You are not forgotten by God. 

God sees everything about you—even your screw-ups, failings, fears, and doubts—and He finds value. I don’t love my children any more or less because of the way they dress or because of how well they can sing, throw a football, or pray publicly. 

God doesn’t love you and me any more or less because of what we can or cannot do, or because of how good or bad we are either. He loves us because we are His. Made in His image. Fashioned by His heart. 

Believe it. Even if your life wasn’t planned in the heart of your parents, it was planned in the heart of God. You are His, and He remembers you. By name. You, me, and the stars. He knows us all by name: “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names” (Psalm 147:4 ESV).

God cares for and knows all about you. 

He knows how you like your coffee. He knows your weaknesses and insecurities. He knows all of the things that make you unique, even if you’re an identical twin! He knows the things that make you tick, the quirky things, the things that cause you to beat yourself up, and the things that put a fire in your belly. And He knows how many hairs are on your head. 

And Jesus didn’t stop there. He looked those people eyeball to eyeball and told them, You … and you … and you … and you … and you … and you … are worth more than a whole mess of sparrows!

Because you are His. Handcrafted with divine devotion.

I can’t help but notice that before Jesus told the people how valuable they were to God, He said, “Don’t be afraid” (Luke 12:7). Don’t be afraid? Why would Jesus say that? I wonder if it was because He knows that many of us are afraid that our lives don’t matter. We fear insignificance. We worry that our contributions are dumb, weak, and worthless. 

I wonder if it was because Jesus sees beyond the prodigal to the potential, and He wants us to stop listening to those other voices and let Him—our Creator—tell us our value.

And I wonder if some of us might be afraid of God’s love. Afraid to be defined by His grace. Afraid to be refined by His holiness … to be set free, because those old chains that bind and hinder are our normal. 

Jesus made it clear: In God’s eyes, you are valued. You are loved, cherished, seen, and adored. Don’t doubt it for a second.

 

Let’s Pray 

Dear Lord, Thank You for always remembering me and for loving me for who I am, and where I am. Thank You for caring for me. Please help me accept this as truth when I doubt my value.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Let’s Keep in Touch

June 30, 2023, Girlfriends in God is coming to a close. Thank you for linking arms with us in ministry for the past 17 years. We still want to share life with you! Click here to continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays.

 

Now It’s Your Turn  

Where does this message find you today? Leave a comment on this post. Write a prayer of response and pray for a few other women who comment. Let’s connect in community and take this conversation deeper.

 

More From the Girlfriends

If today’s message is where you are and you need more practical help, order a copy of Gwen’s book I Want It ALL. Ready to narrow the gap between ordinary faith and the not-so-ordinary promises of God found in His Word? Order yours today from Amazon, Gwen’s website or from your favorite retailer.

 

 

© 2023 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.

 

 

10 Responses to “Stop Doubting Your Worth”

  1. Jana says:

    Dear Lord, Thank You so much for Your Word and these women who have made it their life’s work to share Your Word and give their thoughts and experiences with it. Thank You for being my Refuge and my strength. Thank You for taking the time to remind me of Your strength in me as I go about the day. I wake with with thoughts of finding solutions to the challenges that I face and You immediately whisper strongly that the time I spend with You first thing in the morning is the only answer I need to think about. Then You speak through Your Word and remind me that together we’ve got this.

    Thank You for being part of me. Let’s make today a great day together as I see so many things to be grateful for and know that all is well and I thank You for that. Thank You for this wonderful life and joyously stepping through this day with me. Thank You for all the reminders in Psalm 144 of what an awesome God You are and that everything is amazing. I take Your Peace and hold it in my heart. Remind me to step outside of myself and be present. Helpme to be aware of Your blessing and miracles and show me the facetes of You as they are in each one. Thank You for the growth You give me each day and being with me. Thank You for Your Joy… Hold my hand today, Heavenly Father. Holy Spirit, join me and shape my thoughts so they are focused on you and Jesus… be with me and do this day with. Guide me and be my Strength and Shield. In Jesus Name, Amen

  2. Debbie says:

    I have felt invisible most of my life….by the world. But i have a constant reminder in Gods word that He sees me and I am so loved and valued and cared for….I have to constantly remind my own self not to get caught up in this world’s standards and culture changes. God loves me for my own uniqueness ❤️ What love!!!!

  3. Liz says:

    My favorite part was “He knows how you like your coffee.” I prayed after reading that, that I would experience one of those moments when it seems like God smiles down on You. I love it when He works in a way that would seemingly only mean something to You. A God moment. 🙂

  4. Gina says:

    Dear Gwen,
    Oh my goodness, it seems each day these devotions hit me right where it’s needed. Y’all are doing a wonderful job! I am a long time reader.
    Hugs!
    Gina

  5. Jan says:

    A great Word for where I am in my life today. I know that Jesus loves me, but some days those other voices are much louder and I begin to doubt. I pray that other women do not allow their faults and insecurities to pull them away from Jesus’ love.

  6. Mardiece says:

    I smiled at that part, too, Liz! 🙂 This message today made me stop to realize that there is no one on Earth who knows me as Jesus does. No one, not even my husband or closest friend. We are made up of millions of moments throughout our lives that brought some sort of meaning, whether good or bad. Those things shape us into who we are. There are not enough moments in front of me to impart to someone else all the effects of the moments behind me. Only Jesus will ever know me like that, which is a little sad, I guess. How comforting to know that He knows me completely and loves me anyway.
    Thank you, Gwen, for giving us another way to grow closer to our Savior! God bless you.

  7. Sandy says:

    “He knows my weakness and insecurities.” WOW, this right here. For years I’ve been holding back because of my insecurities. Praying to be deliver. Thank God that He never gives up on me. One day I’ll be delivered and set free. I know because He has delivered me from fears and anxieties that no longer have a hold on me. He got this one too. One day I’ll be free. Please pray that I’ll move forward in spite of my insecurities.

  8. Brenda says:

    My morning work ritual is to read Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 devotionals. They always hit at the heart of what woman are facing. You have help me set the course of my days the past years. Girlfriends in God will be greatly missed.

  9. Melissa says:

    Dear Gwen, Sharon, and Mary,
    Thank you so very much for your years of faithful service and for your wonderful devotions! They have been a part of my daily reading for many years. I have been so very blessed by your ministry and it breaks my heart that it is coming to a close. I have very often shared them with my daughters or friends to give them encouragement. I do pray for the very best in your coming years and I am convinced that the best is yet to come! I will miss you all dearly. Please add my email address to each of your distribution lists. May the Lord bless you all and keep you close to Him.
    Much love in Christ,
    Your fellow sister Melissa

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" 1 Thessalonians 2:8