Tag: God loves us

We Are Never Insignificant in God’s Eyes

Trudy Den Hoed30 Comments

Do you feel unnoticed and insignificant? Like you’re nothing but a number to some people? Or a mat to wipe their dirty feet on?

In the world we live in, whether in families, society, or at work, it’s easy to feel overlooked and unappreciated, isn’t it? 

The earth is but a tiny speck in the solar system, only 1 millionth the size of the sun. Consider that tiny speck holding well over 7 million people (World Population Clock). Can you imagine what size each of us is in comparison to such a vast universe?

In such magnitude, not one of us can be visible to the human eye. And that may be how we feel at times. Invisible and insignificant among so many.

Yet to God, each one of us is not only visible but cared about. He keeps track of every life from the moment of conception to the day of death. Even before that, He knows us! We are precious to Him. He knows every detail of our lives, even down to how many hairs are on each of our heads at this very moment. He knows the depth of our thoughts and feelings. He knows every single hurt in each of our hearts, and He cries with us. 

“Since you are so much more precious to God
than a thousand flocks of sparrows,
and since God knows you in every detail
– down to the number of hairs
on your head at this moment –
you can be secure and unafraid of any person,
and you have nothing to fear from God either.”
Luke 12:7 VOICE

No, this life is far from easy. Troubles can become like immovable mountains. People can hurt us and make us feel like we’re insignificant nothings. Negative voices and past pain can wrap us in seemingly unbreakable chains. Satan himself stalks us like a hungry lion seeking to devour us. But God…

But God is still bigger! In times when we can embrace how powerful, tender, and unfailing God’s love is for us, it can fill our hearts with hope.

We may be merely statistics to a census bureau or feel unnoticed and insignificant to others, but our Creator counts each one of us worthy of His consideration, compassion, and unconditional love around the clock day after day, year after year, and into eternity. 

He loves each one of us as if you are or I am the only person on earth. I just can’t comprehend such powerful love and grace, can you?

There are so many in this world who feel unloved and insignificant. Are you one of them? I deeply long for every single one of you to feel special and loved. You are not insignificant, no matter what anyone says. You are not unlovable. You are not overlooked. God has the power and the desire to reach into and heal the wounded places of every hurting heart. His arms of unconditional, fathomless love reach out to us, no matter who we are, where we’re from, or where we’ve been.

“And may you have the power to understand,
as all God’s people should,
how wide, how long, how high,
and how deep His love is.
May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all
the fullness of life and power that comes from God”.
Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
“How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
You are still with me!”
Psalm 139:17-18 NLT

Your Unfailing Love
by Chris Tomlin

Reflections: Past, Present, and Future

Trudy Den Hoed26 Comments
Looking to the Past, Present, and Future

As I reflect on this past year, often my heart was so deeply troubled about things that are happening in our nation and in this world. The truth that often kept me going is that God is still in control. He always has been and He forever will remain the King of the World. We don’t always see visible evidences of His love and grace, and it sometimes seems that evil prevails. But God will always be the ultimate Victor. He’s got us. He will never abandon us. He is always with us, working towards our good.

As I gaze into the new year, I know God will always remain faithful. He has helped me this far and He will hold me up through whatever happens this year. My desire is to more deeply trust Him and His plan and to fully embrace His unconditional love. The more I embrace His love, the more naturally love will pour out to others around me.

As for the present, I want to embrace every moment. I want to open my eyes more to the blessings right in front of me, the beauty God gives each day.

Past, present, future. No matter what happened or will happen to us, God’s faithful love endures forever. We may not always “feel” like He loves us, but this truth still stands. May we hang onto this hope each day!

“Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

Most Visited 2018 Blog Posts

Sometimes when people hear I write blog posts, they ask, “How many followers do you have?” I shrug my shoulders and say I don’t know.

Years ago, I was too concerned about numbers, and I still fall into that trap sometimes. People approval still lurks in my heart far too much. I remain a work in progress…

Though I don’t check anymore how many followers I have, I do once in a while check which posts are read the most. It’s evident there are many hurting souls who need hope in this broken world. Who long to feel like they matter. Who long to feel understood and not feel so alone.

This 2015 post has been the most read post for the past three years. We may feel so broken, like we’re not worth anything, but God loves cracked pots. His love can shine through our brokenness!

God’s Love Can Shine Through Our Brokenness

This next 2014 post has been the second most read post for the past two years. In 2018, it nearly tied for 1st. Questions I still sometimes ask God. It seems I daily need to be reminded of His whispers of reassurance to these doubts and fears that trouble me. I love God’s compassion and patience with us! He invites us to ask Him anything, and He never condemns us! There is no one who knows us and understand us like He does!

God Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves

My Hope For Each Of Us
May We Remind Each Other Often

He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands

On New Year’s Day, a song came to my heart – “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” I listened to it on YouTube and found another rendition of it. I still love the traditional song, but I love this one even more, because it speaks of how good God is, how His love will never stop, and how every person of every color is wonderfully made and precious in His sight.

I have watched and listened to this song several times since then, and every time it makes me want to dance and sing with these young people. I’d do it if I could without getting short of breath or coughing. 🙂 But I still do it in my heart! And each time, God breathes strength into my soul. Yes! We are in His hands of love this year and always! What better hands could we be in, right?

The Savior’s Hands Forever Reach Out to Us With Love

Trudy Den Hoed26 Comments

A few years ago I saved this picture from a Christmas card. It still fills my heart with awe. The reaching out of Jesus’ Hands forever in love is humbling and amazing at the same time. May our hands also reach out in love to others!

The following poem is on the backside of this photo:

In His Hands

The Hands that made the world
And gave the sun and moon their light
Are the tiny Hands of a baby
Born one cold December night.

 The Hands that still the wind
And tame the fury of the sea
Are the calloused Hands of a carpenter
Who lived in poverty.

 The Hands that held the power
To break the binding chains of sin
Are the gentle Hands that washed the feet
Of tired and dusty men.

 The Hands that cleansed the leper,
Healed the blind, and raised the dead
Are the praying Hands of one who cried,
“Not My will, but Thine instead.”

 The Hands that shaped the universe
And flung the stars in space
Are the nail-pierced Hands of a dying man
Who suffered in our place.

 The Hands of our Creator,
Lord and King of Heaven above,
Are the Savior’s Hands,
Forever reaching out to us with love.

 B. J. Hoff

When I searched for Bible verses about God’s hand(s), I was surprised at how many there are. I haven’t begun to find them all and I definitely can’t name them all here, so I’ll just share a few.

“My own hand founded the earth,
and My right hand spread out the heavens;
when I summoned them,
they stood up together.”
Isaiah 48:13 HCSB

“The life of every living thing is in His hand,
as well as the breath of all mankind.”
Job 12:10 HCSB

“Riches and honor come from You,
and You are the ruler of everything.
Power and might are in Your hand,
and it is in Your hand to make great
and to give strength to all.”
1 Chronicles 29:12 HCSB

“Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding
so that I can learn Your commands.”
Psalm 119:73 HCSB

 “For the Lord your God dried up the waters
of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over,
just as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea,
which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. 
This is so that all the people of the earth may know
that the Lord’s hand is mighty,
and so that you may always fear
the Lord your God.”
Joshua 4:24 HCSB

“My enemies surround Me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on Me.
They have pierced My hands and feet.”
Psalm 22:16 NLT

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands;
your walls are ever before Me.”
Isaiah 49:16 NIV

“Sing a new song to the Lord,
for He has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
His holy arm has shown His saving power!
Psalm 98:1 NLT

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT

Your Hands
by JJ Heller

“When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands…”

May God hold you in His loving Hands!