05212022 Our Importance to God

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our graciously caring God. What a wonder that God looks on us with favor and warmth!

A fourth category of God’s blessing to His children is the incredible idea that we are important to God. In multiple ways, the Creator and divine Ruler of the universe expresses how very much we mere (believing) humans matter to Him.

This mighty God who could completely ignore us actually humbles Himself on purpose to interact with us. “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth” (Psalm 113:6). He always has His eyes open to see what is happening with us, and His ears are in tune to hear our every cry. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15, also 33:18). This divine attention is constant. “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).

Although our Father-God is so high above us, He is careful to make Himself near to us. “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). He remains with us everywhere we go. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7). God places Himself right at our side. “For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor” (Psalm 109:31). He holds our hand. “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand” (Psalm 73:23). He sends His angels to surround us as well. “The angel of the LORD encampeth round them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

Our importance to God is revealed by how much He knows and thinks about us. He keeps us in mind even though we are nothing. “Who remembereth us in our low estate” (Psalm 136:23). He knows us thoroughly and in intimate detail - our every thought, our entire path, even when we stand or sit. “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me” (Psalm 139:1, see vs. 2-4). God thinks about us and pays attention to us. “The LORD hath been mindful of us” (Psalm 115:12). His thoughts about us are constant and innumerable. “Many … are … thy thoughts which are to us-ward: … if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5). “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:17-18).

Our importance to God is shown through His faithfulness. His faithfulness is rooted in His eternal plan for us. “Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old” (Psalm 74:2). God simply does not forsake those whom He has chosen. “For thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Psalm 9:10). He will never abandon them. “For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance” (Psalm 94:14).

Our importance to God is displayed by His positive response toward us. God takes pleasure in us. “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 147:11). “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). God actually delights is us. “He brought me forth also into a large place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19).

This unlikely importance to God is summed up in the fact that He has chosen us as special and as having a special relationship with Him. God is for us; He has placed Himself in the position of being on our side. “This I know; for God is for me” (Psalm 56:9, also 118:6). God has set us apart specially for His favor and service. “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself” (Psalm 4:3).

The fact that we are important to God is almost beyond belief. We don’t deserve His favor any more than the wicked do. This unmerited importance is highlighted when we realize the vast difference between believers and unbelievers. If sinners would come to God, they would enjoy the same blessing, but until then, the absence of mention about their importance to God is stark. In contrast with the quantity and variety of verses about the believer’s importance to God, the wicked are described simply and sadly. “The wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth” (Psalm 11:5).

Praise God for loving us and for showing how important we are to Him in so many ways! May these truths excite and encourage your heart.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA