Worthy?

 

     My husband and I ready daily devotionals in the morning and this one by Dr. Charles Stanley, of intouch.org ministries, really touched a chord with me:

Believers in Christ often wrestle with discouragement and shame over past sins. This could then prompt doubt about God’s love, because they feel unworthy to be His child. As a result, their guilty feelings weigh them down, sap their energy, dampen their hope, and draw them away from the Lord. (Oct. 14, 2020)

     I looked up the word "worthy" at Dictionary.com, "a person of eminent worth, merit, or position" verses the word "unworthy" which is defined, "not deserving." How many times have I thought to myself, "You are not worthy," due to past mistakes and behaviors? How many times have I doubted that God would intervene on my behalf, because "I am not worthy"? I can't count the times I have been drained of energy and lacking hope because my old tapes remind me of my past sins and Satan whispers, "Why would a Holy God listen to a person as unworthy as you?"

     The NIV Bible reminds us in scriptures who is worthy and how I can be worthy as well:

2 Samuel 22:4, "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies."

Jeremiah 15:19, "Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman'."

1 Chronicles 16:25, "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."

Psalm 18:3, "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies."

Psalm 96:4, "For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."

Psalm 145:3, "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."

Matthew 10:38, "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Acts 5:41, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." 

     The above scriptures are just a sampling of those that note God's worthiness and reminds me that worthiness has nothing to do with me, but it's all about Jesus Christ. Once I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and yield my whole life to Him, as my Savior and Lord, my life should be focused on: repenting of current sins, fearing the Lord above all gods, trusting God to save me from my enemies, praising His unfathomable greatness, carrying my cross in His Name, and rejoicing in my suffering for Christ Jesus. The scriptures do not say anything about me staying discouraged, or being filled with guilt and shame. Isn't that a relief? 

     Jesus tells the listeners in Matthew 11:28-30 from the NIV Bible on biblegateway.com:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

     When we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are saved from eternal separation from God, but not due to any works we have done (Gal. 2:16). We are worthy, because we are in Christ and the Holy Spirit of God is within us, sealing us to Himself until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). We are sinners saved by grace, "not deserving," yet He has "eminent worth, merit, and position." He has made us worthy by His sinless life, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection over death three days later. We can rest and rejoice, knowing He has done it all! 

Revelation 5:12, In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"