by Sis. Joanna Rich
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalm 139:14
We live in a society that ascribes price tags according to the physical. The world’s mentalities of value say to us, "The hourglass body shape receives more attention and admiration so that must mean that they are worth more." Or "She has enough money to have a new outfit every week so she’s worth more.” Or rather “She can play the piano and sing, and I can only sing so she’s more valuable in ministry.” The answer to this question of how much you are worth can not be described by appearance, possessions, or abilities, but rather with the truths of God’s Eternal Word.
In Luke 12 verse 6, Jesus gives an analogy of His care and value for even the insignificant or “cheap” sparrows. He then follows it up in verse 7 with an encouragement to the multitude, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” A sparrow is an insignificant bird, yet God knows every one that is hungry and provides food, He knows when one falls, and yields compassion, and He uses this as a comparison of how much more He cares for us.
You’re of extremely more value than many sparrows!
"You know how much something is worth by what someone is willing to pay to get it.” Author Unknown
I once read the story of an American tourist in Paris who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket ship. He was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This roused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler said, “I’ll give you $25,000 for it.” Greatly surprised, the man decided to have another expert examine it. When he did, he offered $10,000 more. “What do you see that’s so valuable about this old necklace?” asked the astonished man. “Look through the glass.” replied the jeweler. There before his eyes was an inscription: “From Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine.” The value of the necklace came from it’s identification with a famous person.
Ladies, the reason for your extreme value is that God has put His signature upon your life. Your very existence reveals His value of you. First of all, you have value because God created you. Psalm 139 says that before you were completely formed inside your mother, God created you and knew you. He knew what your physical features would be - the size of your nose, your hair color, skin complexion or body shape - and He placed great value in you. He also knew your personality - your inner make up, who you are - and He placed great value in you. Psalm 139 verse 13 and 14 says, “For thou has possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Too many times, our response to how we are made doesn’t echo the Psalmist here in verse 14. What would happen if we were as quick to praise, as we are to complain? I’m definitely talking to myself here.
Secondly, you have value because of the depth of God’s love for you. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God revealed His love by His willingness to buy us back from sin’s dominion in our lives. This is Redemption, Ladies! I John 3:1 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:”
In seeing yourself as a masterpiece of God’s creation and a product of His Redemption plan, it will transform the way you view yourself and how you present yourself to others.
I Corinthians 6 verse 19 and 20 says, “What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” It is very important that we take note of the reference to the body in these scriptures. Based upon our value, we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which belong to Him.
I read an article a little while back before Prince Harry and Meghan were married. It caught my eye because it was a discussion about the unbecoming way that Meghan was dressed. The discussion was obviously between two secular individuals, but it was clear that there was another level of modesty that was expected since she was becoming part of the Royal family. As I read this discussion, I immediately thought of us as women of God and how important it is that we represent our King well! When a woman dresses immodestly, she is saying, “I’m eye-candy, I’m cheap.” Yet a woman that dresses modestly shows that she understands her true value is something to be protected.
Shara McKee defines modesty like this: "Modesty is a wall to the uninvited, a guardian to what is protected, an invitation to the respectful, a statement of values to the unbeliever, a sense of dignity to the culture that wages war on our worth, and a gift of honor to the One we represent.”
