Psalm 91:3-8
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.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
What does this passage tell you about the value and worth of every person?
Reflect
A lot of us struggle with things we don’t like about ourselves. It might be something physical — we think our nose is too big or our legs are too short. We might wish we were smarter or more athletic. Maybe we envy how easily some people make friends or can command an audience. We can become insecure about ourselves, and if we let these negative thoughts control us, they can paralyze us.
Psalm 139 gives us God’s perspective on who we are. These verses are no self-help pep talk, but a deep and abiding truth — God has created us and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Every person is uniquely designed and knitted together by God while still in their mother’s womb. All people have immense value and worth. David praises God for this and so should we.
Although we live in a world marred by sin where our bodies and minds are susceptible to violence and disease, God designed us for so much more. One day, in our resurrected bodies, we will experience the fullness of God’s design. In the meantime we can rejoice with David in the intimate care of God who knows every cell in our bodies.
In verse 17, David expresses his amazement at God’s thoughts. Whereas our thinking is limited and bound, whatever God thinks can become reality. He designed every muscle and bone, every organ and nerve of the human body and from that plan, he gave humanity life. Yet he doesn’t just see us collectively as a species, he knows each one of us individually and has a unique plan for our lives. You matter to God. You were created with purpose and your life is a gift. How will you choose to live today?
How should knowing that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made guide our treatment of others?
Respond
Join David in praising God because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. And if you find it hard to be truly grateful because of how God created you, ask him to change your perspective.