God’s Prized Creations
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Psalm 23:1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Isaiah 43:1-3
1. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Isaiah 44:1-5
1. "But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! 2. Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. 4. They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams. 5. This one will say, `I am the Lord's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, `The Lord's,' and surname himself by the name of Israel."
Years ago, I was an “arts and crafts queen!” It was so satisfying to complete a stenciling project, or sewing a pair of curtains, or making decorative knick-knacks. When we create something, it becomes a part of us—it’s meaningful to us and we have a sense of ownership with it. Imagine how God must feel about us! We are His creations. He thought of us, he formed us, he breathed life into us. He wouldn’t go to all that trouble and then leave us alone to struggle and roam aimlessly through life!
When I finish sewing the final hem on a Christmas wall hanging, or complete an intricate cross-stitch project, I like to hold it, feel the texture of the fabric in my hands, drape it over the back of a chair and look at it—I want to feel that sense of satisfaction and joy at having created something beautiful. I enjoy even more giving my creations to others. It makes me feel as if I am giving them a part of myself, something special and meaningful.
God gives us each other. He wants us to feel that sense of satisfaction and joy when we interact with each other. We are to love each other and lift each other up. We are, each and every one of us, His prized creations, crafted in love and skillfully constructed. He gives us to each other. He created us in His image and likeness. How he must sit back and admire His creations! Even when we sin, even when we fail to live up to expectations, he still loves us! I don’t hate something I’ve made because it has some imperfections! That’s part of the beauty! It’s imperfect, but made in love and care.
God is so good to us. He has made us, chosen us and claims us for his own. He offers us refuge, comfort, assurance of eternal life. Even when we are in a difficult situation, or going through a painful experience, He wants us to remember that we are his. The same God who made the stars and the rain, who made Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Etna erupt, who made hurricanes and sunsets and the Grand Canyon made us. So when we feel small and insignificant, we would do well to remember that “the best things come in small packages!”
God made us last – he “saved the best for last!” We are his beloved, prized creations, and He will never abandon us, forget us, or leave us on our own in the world. He longs for us to join Him in eternity, even more than we desire to see His face. I cannot fathom a love that great and strong. I cannot imagine a love that complete and sure. But I rejoice in that love! I call upon it and rely upon it every day of my life.
God is good. He made us, He loves us. He wants us to know that. He has sent His prophets, He sent His Son. He lends us the Holy Spirit. He gave us everything He had.
I hope you spend today rejoicing that your cup overflows and writing on your hand, `The Lord's.'
Mary
