May 16, 2018
You are Worth More Than a Herd of Pigs
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV).
Friend to Friend
An African tribe gathered round to listen to the story of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man recorded in Luke 8:26-33. The ministry, Faith Comes by Hearing, provided the tribe with an audio Bible and a digital playback unit for them to hear the story in their own language.
Jesus and his disciples sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places…
The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
The tribal community was stunned when they heard this story. They knew the value of one pig, much less an entire herd. Why would Jesus do that? Why would He allow their entire income to be destroyed?
Many questions stirred among the listeners. Then the wise chief spoke. “Perhaps Jesus is showing us that one human soul is worth more than an entire tribe’s economy.”
I was silenced by his answer. That passage has been mysterious to me for many years, but God revealed the truth to an African chief hearing the story for the very first time. That chief understood just how valuable we are to God.
Do you realize how valuable you are to God? You are worth so much that He gave His one and only Son just for you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. Whenever I feel like I’m not enough, remind me that I am worth so much to You, that You gave Your only Son for me. That’s really something.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Complete this sentence. To God, I am worth more than…
Look up the following verses. What do you learn about your worth?
More from the Girlfriends
Today’s devotion was taken from Sharon’s new release, Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence.
Do the voices in your head tell you that you are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough… or just not enough, period? It’s time to stop listening to the lies that sabotage your confidence and start embracing the truth of who God says you are and what you have in Christ.
Enough exposes the lies that keep you bogged down in guilt, shame, and insecurity. By recognizing the lies, rejecting the lies, and replacing the lies with truth, you’ll be able to:
- silence the voice inside that whispers you’re not good enough
- accept God’s grace and no longer allow past failures to define you or confine you
- be preloaded with the truth to fight insecurities
- walk in the surefooted confidence of God’s unconditional love
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