Psalm 8:4
Going through the Scriptures, the question in Psalm 8:4 cannot but pop into your mind. It is a question that is passed from generation to generation: What is man? What exactly makes people so special to God.
From the account of the Scriptures, we can deduce that man is a masterpiece of God’s creation. Firstly, only man was created in the image and likeness of God of all God’s creatures. Angels indeed display the qualities and characteristics of God here and there, however, they are not created in the image and likeness of God the way man was. When God wanted to make other creatures, he said “let there be” (he called them into being). When God was to create man, he said “let us make” (he formed man by himself). Of all God’s creatures, man is the only one God took time to form with his own hands (Genesis 2:7). Does this not tell us how special we are to God as human beings?
Men are made out of God’s very nature and likeness (Genesis 1:26). As men, we ought to behave like God because we are gods (Psalm 82:6). Man was created for dominion, God put every other thing that lives on earth under man’s authority (Genesis 1:28).
The very hairs of our head are numbered by God (Luke 12:7). He knows each of us by name and he has a purpose for sending us into the world (Jeremiah 1:5). God cares so much about all of us. Of all the billions of people that live in the world today, none of us is lost in the crowd before God. He knows us all individually and he desires to relate with us all on a personal level.
This was how it was in the garden of Eden after God created the first humans: Adam and Eve. God used to come into their midst physically to fellowship with them (Genesis 3:8). In the same vein, God wants to have fellowship with every one of us and he wants us to know him as a God, Father, burden bearer and friend. God can be all things and anything to us. In any way we need him, he will show up for us.
Having a revelation of how unique and special you are in God’s heart will help you live life with the mindset of royalty. You are loved by God! Don’t listen to the lies the devil puts in your heart about yourself. You are worth more than you can ever imagine. All men are very precious to God, and that includes you.
Why are men so special to God?
Treasures In Jars Of Clay
The Bible tells us that God put treasures in jars of clay to show that all power belongs to him (2 Corinthians 4:7). Human beings are those treasures in jars of clay that the Bible was speaking of. Recall that God made human beings out of the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). Normally, you might feel that clay is not a befitting vessel for a sparkling treasure, but God decided to do that so he could show that he has the power to make the most dejected and rejected thing to be king over the “qualified vessels.”
In terms of material of creation, angels are made out of better material than human beings. However, God did not choose to give them the kind of love and attention he gives men till today. God truly uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). Men are creatures of God’s unrivalled greatness, power and majesty.
As a human being, you are special because you are a bag of treasures. God did not create you empty. Don’t let your failures and past experiences ever define you. You are more than what you go through. You are God’s most priced possession! The treasures God has put in you might be in form of your talents, skills and competencies. God put those treasures in you so that you can be a blessing to the world.
Lay hold on the treasures that God has put on your inside, refine them and use them to impact the world. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t allow timidity or shyness to rob you and the entire world of experiencing the beauty that is inside you. You don’t just have treasures; you are a treasure. You do not just have gifts; you are a gift!
Shake off low self-esteem and the voices that hold you down. There is so much within you than you can imagine. Digging to find your treasures, may take some pain, sacrifice and commitment. However, it will all be worth it when you lay your hands on your treasurers.
You can either choose to live the usual mediocre life or step out to fulfil God’s purpose for your life. It will be a great tragedy if you die with your treasures unused. How grievous it will be if you die believing that you are not needed nor valuable.
Finding the treasures God has put in you first starts with acknowledging that God has put them in you. You cannot make any impact in the world if you do not first accept that God has put treasures in you (Philemon 1:6). If you do not accept that you are treasurable, you will live your entire life without the manifestation of the treasures God has put in you.
Say to yourself: “I am special. I am loved. I am valuable. I am full of divine treasures that will bless the entire world. God is mindful of me. I am not weak. I am not hopeless. I am God’s masterpiece created for a meaningful life of purpose on earth.”
Remember, as you think in your heart, so will you be (Proverbs 23:7). God is always thinking about you. His thoughts are always set on you. You are more than you can ever think of. You are God’s own!
King James Version (KJV)
“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
New International Version (NIV)
“what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?”
New American Bible (NASB)
“What is man that You think of him, And a son of man that You are concerned about him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him!”