A Thirty Day Devotional adapted from the NEW book: Identity: The Distinctiveness of You – Day 10

I was known by God before I was formed in the womb. Jeremiah 1:5; Ephesians 1:4

I am rescued from the power of darkness. Colossians 1:13

Just how valuable are you?  God actually knew your value before your parents ever met.  Your heavenly Father is so pro-life, pro you that He knew you before you were formed within your mother by the seed of your father.  There are two very important scriptures that establish this idea.  This very point is radically essential for you to capture within your spirit, not just your head.

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah really struggled with his identity and his self-esteem.  He did not see himself as anyone or anything special.  He was ordinary and young, just another human on the earth at his appointed time to live.  In fact, Jeremiah once said to God, “Ah Sovereign Lord…I do not know how to speak; I am only a child” (Jeremiah 1:6).  God vehemently disagreed with Jeremiah and what follows is what God literally spoke over him.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.  (verse 5)

It is enormously important to recognize that within that one single verse God states that before He created you, formed you in the womb (you are His creation), He knew you (He longed for you, had a plan and a purpose for you, desired you to live for Him, to know who you are in Him and to glorify Him in obedience all the days of your life.).  The sheer power of these words is almost incomprehensible for our finite, human minds to grasp.  

In the book of Ephesians, we read something very similar.

Paul the Apostle was writing to the church of Ephesus and in chapter one of this epistle we read these words, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Ephesians 1:4).  He chose you before the creation of the world!  

Let’s state these truths again. 1. He created you.  2. He knew you.  3. He created and knew you before the foundation of the world existed.

You are not a mistake.  You are not a product of your environment.  You are not lost in a sea of human beings unknown to God.  You are not less than anyone or anything.  You are not judged by God.  You do not anger God.  In your mere existence, you absolutely thrill God.

Question for reflection:

If you have been called a mistake or unwanted or felt rejection, how do the scriptures in today’s devotional bring security, acceptance and approval to you?

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