Relationships: Passing the Vibe CheckBeispiel

Day 12: Do You Love You?

Psalm 139:13-14 New International Version (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God created you. He provided for the conditions in your mother’s womb to be perfect so that you could develop there. He artistically designed every dividing cell so that you would be you. Thousands of years before, He also sacrificed His Son to ensure your place in heaven. He loves you that much.

King David, the one who fought and killed Goliath when no one else could or would, is the author of this Psalm. He knows God created him, and David even calls himself “wonderful” when he says God’s “works [David] are wonderful.”

You might think it is easy for King David to believe this about himself because he was amazingly blessed. He fought a giant when he was a boy, led a successful army, served as a king for God's chosen people, moved the capital of Judah to Jerusalem, delivered the Ark of the Holy Covenant to Jerusalem, was an awesome musician and poet, wrote parts of the Holy Bible, and was an ancestor of Jesus.

How can a young adult in modern times possibly compare to him? Of course, he was wonderfully made. Right?

But, you know what? Details about the tragedies and sins in his life are just as likely to make you wonder how a modern young adult could relate to him…because he was such a mess. For example, he had to live as an outlaw until after King Saul died because Saul was so jealous of him. David had an affair with Bathsheba, a married woman, who conceived a child during their infidelity. He devised a plan to murder Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, through a hitman of sorts so that he could have Bathsheba for himself. David didn't discipline his children, and one of his sons, Amnon, committed the sin of rape and incest. So Amnon's brother, David's beloved son Absalom, killed Amnon in retaliation. Then, Absalom waged a war against David, trying to usurp the throne and kill his father. Absalom was defeated so David stayed as king, but at the cost of his son's life. David decided to take a census of the people, against the better judgment of his counsel, which caused a plague to break out and kill many of his people.

This is the man who wrote, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” If he can say that, why can’t you?

David understands his limitations as a man, and he hungers for God’s presence in his life. He accepts forgiveness openly and moves forward, viewing himself as God’s creation.

You need to do the same. Accept God’s free gift of grace and forgiveness. You and God can have a relationship that will boost your confidence and solidify your identity. Remember, Christ is in you. You are powerful. As a Christian whose spirit is connected to the Spirit of God, you are wonderfully made. God loves you, so now is the time to explore that love, reciprocate it back to Him, and develop a love for yourself.

·What do you love about God’s creation of nature and your relationship to it?

·How do you feel God’s presence in your life?

·How do you reconcile your sins with God’s gift of salvation?

·To what extent do you feel unworthy to receive such a gift?

·What can you do to create peace within yourself to realize that you are God’s creation and loved by Him?

·How do you now view your relationships with God and others in light of knowing that God made you for a purpose and loves you enough to sacrifice His Son for you?