How Much is He Worth?

Today’s Verse:

But now thou art worth ten thousand of us: ~2 Samuel 18:3b

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If you have ever been a collector of old and rare items, you have probably asked the question, “How much is this worth?” My father owned a meat and grocery store for many years. There were a few times when he was given a rare $10 or $20 bill. When he took it to the bank, he discovered it had an intrinsic worth that was much more than just the face value. When I was a baby, my grandparents purchased some savings bonds for me. My father turned them over to me when I turned 18 and said, “Take these to the bank and find out how much they are worth.” David was ready to go to battle with his men. They were concerned for his safety, and told him to stay behind the scenes and make decisions. Out of love and concern, they said to David, “But now thou art worth ten thousand of us.” Our devotion this morning is about the question: “How much is Jesus worth to you?”

First, is Jesus your loving desire?

Jesus asked Peter, “Simon Peter, lovest thou me?” What a probing question! At that moment, Peter felt ashamed of having denied the Lord on the eve of His crucifixion. So, in front of all his friends he said, “Lord, thou knowest I love thee.” Peter had to be confronted by the Lord Himself on the depth of his love. We read in Rev. 2 about the evaluation Jesus makes of the church at Ephesus. This was a church that labored for the Lord, took a stand against false doctrine, and on the surface was a serving church. However, the Lord Jesus made a stinging rebuke when He said, “I have somewhat against thee, for thou hast left thy first love.” How important is Jesus to you? I am thankful that in I Pet.2:7, Peter describes the importance of being passionate about Jesus when he said, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” Is Jesus worth all of your love?

Second, is Jesus your life’s dedication?

The men who told David to stay behind and not go to battle with them were his mighty men. These men pledged themselves to lay down their lives for their king. They were front-liners who considered the cost, and decided no sacrifice was too great for David. Jesus said something very important about the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:27: “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” A disciple of Jesus Christ identifies himself with making whatever sacrifices necessary for the Lord. Taking up our cross implies accepting the heaviness of its weight, the shame of being identified, and the cost of being placed on it. Dedication means to pledge the completeness of our lives to Him. It is what Paul describes as presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. Is Jesus worth your total dedication?

Third, is Jesus your lingering devotion?

What thoughts come to mind when you think of Jesus? The Psalmist said, “I love the Lord because he hath heard my supplication.” David said in Ps. 45:2, “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” Do you just desire Jesus more than anything else in your day? Our devotional thoughts about the Lord should be as the Shunammite woman in Song of Solomon 5:6: “I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” A day without Jesus is a day that is a failure! A prayer time where He is not there is time that is wasted! A walk in the garden without Him is a walk that is lonely and empty. Are the thoughts that we have filled with a lingering devotion for Him?

How much is Jesus worth to you? David’s men said, “Thou art worth more than ten thousand of us.” May we say, like the hymn writer, “Jesus is all the world to me.” Make sure today that Jesus is worth everything to you!

Have a Christ-filled God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 51-57

#2Samuel #Jesus #Valuation