“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16 NIV
Far too many people are walking around our world thinking that they don’t really matter. These are valuable souls who God made and loves passionately. Yet they’ve fallen under the weight of negativity in this fallen world and been crushed by disappointment. They struggle with feeling worthless and drift through life aimlessly rather than living into their purpose. Sometimes, they even tragically cut their lives short through suicide. Each of us can become discouraged about our worth all too easily in this harsh world. So, it’s vital to remind ourselves of the truth highlighted in Psalm 139:16 – God has ordained (carefully determined) all the days he planned for our earthly lifetimes. Every day of our lives matters!
When we’re facing significant challenges, we can lose sight of our purpose and the significance of each day. But the words of Psalm 139:16 remind us that long before we even took our first breath after birth, God saw us. He knew us intimately, even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. This profound truth reveals that our lives are not accidents; they are purposefully orchestrated in wonderful ways by the Creator himself.
Imagine a book, divinely authored by God, detailing every single day of your life. The victories, the struggles, the joys, and the sorrows were all authored by his loving hands. In times of doubt, or when the future seems bleak and hope feels distant, remember that your life has a divine purpose. Every day has a role to play in God’s grand design. Whether it's a day of success or a day of struggle, it’s important to try to live intentionally. Your life affects others in ways you may not fully comprehend. Every interaction, and every act of kindness, matters. Let God’s love shine through you, impacting the lives of those around you.
When life’s challenges threaten to overwhelm you, remember that God’s plans are never thwarted. His promise remains as he has declared it in Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” It can sometimes be challenging to see beyond life’s difficulties, but the truth remains that God’s plans for you are rooted in hope. Even in the midst of adversity, God is working out his purpose. When facing trials, cling to God’s promises and seek refuge in his unfailing love.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of despair or suicide, know that God’s love reaches into the darkest places. Reach out for help by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (in the United States) or talking to a friend, family member, or a professional. Your life is a gift from God, and God offers you real hope even in the midst of pain. Acts 17:25-27 NIV says of God: “… he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
God’s good plan for your life means that every day holds significance. Whether you’re experiencing a season of celebration or facing daunting challenges, remember that your life is a thread woven into the tapestry of God’s eternal purpose.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that my life has purpose and meaning, intricately designed by your loving hand. In moments of doubt or despair, help me remember that you saw me before I even existed, and every day of my life is written in your book. Strengthen me to live with intentionality, embracing each day as a gift from you. If I find myself struggling, remind me of your plans to give me hope and a future. Give me the courage to reach out for help when needed, and grant me the grace to extend love and compassion to others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Jonathan Petersson
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If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 06 September 2023.
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