What Is Right with You?

While there is much wrong in the world and in our individual lives, let's focus on the positive today: What is RIGHT with you?

What Is Right with You?

"The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

(Zephaniah 3:17)

While working out at the gym last week, I listened to the podcast, "Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture". This particular episode was entitled, "A Biblical View of Mental Health". The podcasts are hosted by Scott Rae and Sean McDowell (son of author Josh McDowell), professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology. The person they were interviewing, Chris Adams, made a statement that got me thinking. He basically said we often hear about what is wrong with people, but what about turning this around to something positive and asking instead what is right with people?

We definitely live in a broken world where hurting and broken people inflict terrible pain and suffering on others. Scripture is very clear that we live in a fallen world. All humanity are sinners by nature and by choice. Satan is wreaking havoc and evil all over our planet. There is much suffering and turmoil both in individuals and in whole nations, like Haiti and Ukraine. But what is right with people? Or let me ask it this way: What is right with you?

I can think of several things that are positive and right with every person reading this devotion:

First, you were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Every human being has great value and purpose because God made us. To be created in His image has deep theological implications. God is Spirit, according to John 4:24. He communicates and has the capacity to enter into relationship with those He created. Because you are human, you have a spirit and soul, and you can know God personally and have a relationship with Him. Inanimate objects like trees and water, as special as they may be, are not created in God's image. But you are, and that is a very positive reality for you.

Second, God loves you. The God Who created you, Who made you in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13), loves you. In fact, the psalmist goes on to say in verse 14 that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you are marvelous. How cool is that!

Third, you have a purpose. God made you to glorify Him and enjoy Him. Your heart and mind find rest when you know God and live for Him.

Fourth, another thing I know is right with you is, you are unique. There is no one on the planet who has the same genetic makeup that you do. No one looks just like you or can do what you can do. Why is that? You are God's masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10); when He made you, He threw away the mold!

Fifth, you can change the world. God has given you unique gifts and abilities that enable you to make a difference in this world. A good friend of mine just last week met with the president of a country in Africa. He is helping develop a plan to save another nation that is on the brink of collapse. My friend will tell you that all he did was make himself available for God to use. And wow, is God using Him!

There are probably another million things that are right with you. But I think you get the point. You are special, loved, and highly valued by God. God has blessed all mankind with general revelation and grace. We inhabit this universe only because He designed us for it. He also designed the universe so it could be inhabited. God's greatest desire for your life is to know Him, and you can know Him. When you confess your sins to God and ask Jesus to save you, He will. If you have not already, then turn today to this awesome God who loves you, and surrender your life to Him.