Parents usually teach their children to count. They may teach them colors and motor skills too, so they will be able to grow and function to the best of their ability in the world. I taught my daughter, Kellie, her colors at age two. She had them down pretty well, so I decided to let her show off her abilities to her grandparents. While Nana was holding Kellie, I asked Kellie, “What color are Nana’s teeth?” “Yellow!” she answered proudly. Nana was the first to break into laughter! Her reply, “Wow, you ARE smart!” made us all crack up. What a fun memory. Nana loved Kellie so much that she thought anything she did was awesome. She was both of my daughters’ biggest cheerleader. She counted all of her children and grandchildren as amazing.
You know God feels that way about you and me too? He counts us worthy to be called His children!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
About being worthy…While the Thessalonians were suffering persecution and affliction, God counted them worthy because they were enduring and growing in faith. He values our commitment to the cause of righteousness, even when we are going through trials, and maybe especially when we are going through trials.
All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 2 Thessalonians 1:5
Counting can mean numbering the quantity of something but it can also mean, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “to regard as being.” So when we find verses with the word count or counted, we can know it means we are learning what the Lord regards. Jesus tells us that He regards us worthy if we stay alert for the day He comes back and do not get caught in the trap of sin. His high regard is what we want. Jesus says,
“For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted ( be regarded as) worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 NKJV
Counting, regarding and counting worth all involve a value system. What we regard as valuable, we tend to want more of. We regard it as important to have. Because God loved us so much,( regarded us with His abundant love), He sent His son to die for us. Love regards others as worthy of their love. He counted us as valuable so He took action on it.
Sometimes a devotion can make a point but sometimes it can stir up questions, like today:
What do we value? What do we want more of? What do we spend the most time doing? Do any of these value systems need adjusting? I know for sure that mine do. Because we live in a world with different values than the Bible teaches, we are bombarded with temptations to “fit in” with the world. But…let’s not. Let’s regard as valuable anything that God values. Only when we obey God’s Word can we be considered worthy to be His children and inherit eternal life with Him!
Dear Father:
You are the only one worthy. May all praise I give today be to You. Please help me to establish and maintain my value system based solely on Your Word. Thank You for Your truth and light that shows us the Way to Your high regard, which is the regard we care most about. Help us in the dark world to endure our trials and persecutions in a way that shines Your light to the world. We love You so much! Amen
Love and prayers to you all!
Just His. Just me.
Glory in the Morning 