January 5, 2000
_Editor's note:
___Beginning with this issue, Bible study lessons will be printed one week in advance. For example, this week's lessons are for a week from Sunday—Jan. 16.
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Every life is precious to the
Lord—including yours
___Psalm 139:13-16
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___This Scripture reference is dated in the margin of my Bible. Alongside the date is the name of our youngest daughter, Dori. These verses remind me of the little girl inside the capable, confident, compassionate college student who burst through the doors just days ago.
___That little girl grew up in the shadow of an older sister who delighted in pleasing family and friends, thought nothing was beyond her reach and accomplished most goals successfully. In other words, Dori saw Deanna as being perfect. She assumed her choices were wrong if they didn't match Deanna's, her accomplishments not as important if theywere different.
___I will admit that Dori's strong will and mischievous nature were at times exasperating. Much of her activity was certainly a direct result of my mother-in-law praying that one day Dennis would be visited with the same challenges he had given her as a child. But nothing in her behavior would deter her vivacious spirit from capturing your heart. We followed all the suggestions in the parenting books, but we could see that our little one's self-esteem was never really taking root.
___It made sense when the Lord led me to pray Psalm 139:13-16, but he attached verses 1-2 also. "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. ... You perceive my thoughts from afar." That seemed an unusual request. If she did not feel she measured up, why would she want to be so deeply aware of the Lord's complete knowledge of her every word and action, let alone her thoughts! Nevertheless, the Spirit encouraged me to pray that the truth of these verses would move deeply into Dori's heart.
___We have seen Dori receive Christ as her Savior, watched her spiritual gifts develop and praised him as her confidence in who she is in him often allowed her to stand alone when obedience made it necessary.
___Once she introduced a solo with these words. "I Kings 8:39 says, 'Lord, forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart.' Some of you are afraid that if you really draw close to the Lord, he will learn all those little secrets you feel are hidden in your heart and you will not be worthy of his salvation. He knew everything about you before you were born. And he loves you, just the way you are. You are so valuable to him, he sent his only Son as payment for the sin you think you are hiding." Then she sang "Nobody Knows My Heart Better than You."
___Every life is so precious to the Lord. The unborn child, almost aborted by a young woman, adopted by my sister and her husband. The teenager knowing the story of Christmas, but not the truth of Easter. The friend who doubts God could love her. Dori means "precious little gift"--treasured above all else.
___Who near you needs to be reminded that all life is treasured by God?
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