By Michael Crandall
Senior Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Dyersburg
Focal Passage: Psalms 8:1-8
What does it mean to cherish something? The word cherish means that we hold something dear to us. When we think about cherishing something we often think about our children or grandchildren. Sometimes when we refer to childhood memories we think about those as a cherished memory, because we hold those thoughts so close to us.
Have you ever thought about how God cherished you? When I was a child I grew up in a broken home. Our home was not a place of safety and refuge. Growing up, we were often told that we meant little to nothing to everyone, and how life could be better without us. So when the pastor of the local church stopped by and invited us to church I never thought much about God wanting to love me or that God would cherish a relationship with me.
When I read the Scripture below, I understand that God really does care for us. That knowledge is something wonderful to me! I am very excited to know that I matter to God. When I study God’s Word He tells us over and over that He cares for us and that we are His children.
“O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens! From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength. Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under His feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas” (Psalms 8:1-8).
To understand that your life matters was a major decision for me. I was excited to know that God, the Creator of the universe and all that He is, could love me. I was excited to know that He wanted a relationship with me and that I could be a part of His work on this earth.
When you are often told you are worthless and that you will never amount to anything, to have the love that only God could give makes us something special! I am honored to be His child. I am honored to be His servant on this earth. I am honored to be cherished by the King of Kings.
