Key scripture -“For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 (NASB)

Are you feeling less than likeable? A far cry from beautiful? Author, Liz Curtis Higgs states that today’s encouragement from God’s Word might be just what you need to change what you think of yourself.

First, the Lord takes pleasure in you. He doesn’t simply accept you, forgive you or put up with you. He delights in your company. He celebrates your place in His kingdom. “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5b, NIV).

What about your family history, your personality, your popularity? People worry about those things, but not the Lord.

Your education, your resume, your bank balance? It does not matter if it is impressive or not, none of that changes how God values you.

Even your behavior or your performance doesn’t alter His kind affection for you. His love is unconditional and irrevocable. God doesn’t love you because you’re wealthy or clever or good. He loves you because you are His. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a, NIV).

Even more good news? The Lord says you are beautiful. Not just slightly attractive or marginally appealing. Beautiful. You are lovely to look at because “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27a, NIV). And that includes you!

As today’s verse, Psalm 149:4b, tells us, “He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” You are beautiful beyond description when you’re covered in His grace.

We are endlessly obsessed with our earthly appearance, doing everything possible to look our best, to measure up, to please others. Yet invariably, we look in the mirror and are disappointed with the results. But not God. He knew exactly what He was doing the day He knit you together in your mother’s womb.(Psalm 139:13).

Some people are quick to say, “Maybe God was pleased when He made me, but I’m not sure He’s happy with how I turned out …”

Listen. God knows your first breath and your last. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16), He counts every hair on your head. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30), and He stores all your tears in a bottle. “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”(Psalm 56:8).

God is not surprised or disappointed with how you turned out. He loved you then, He loves you still, and He will love you forever. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).

We get in trouble when we compare ourselves to others, always finding someone who is younger, taller, thinner, prettier, funnier, more athletic, more graceful … and the list goes on. But God does not compare. God does not clone. Each of us is a unique work of His creation. Beloved, you are God’s definition of beautiful just for you. Are you ready to see yourself as God sees you?

Here’s a simple exercise, every morning after you get dressed and before you start you day, stand in front of a mirror, stretch up your arms with joy, and say it like you mean it: “Ta-da!”. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a, NIV)

It feels good, doesn’t it? Looks good, too. You can’t say it without smiling, which always improves things. “Ta-da!” is your interpretation of “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31a, NIV).

When the light of Christ shines through us, we are utterly transformed. That’s the real story, the hope of glory, the ultimate “Ta-da!”

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I have had struggles with my appearance and sense of worth. Let this be the day that I turn away from the world’s lies and embrace the truth of Your Word and the beauty of Your Son once and for all, and I see myself the way that You see me. Like the Psalmist, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV). Father, I thank You and praise You that nothing can separate me from Your love and that You take great delight in me and rejoice over me with singing. You tell us in Your Word, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17). Father, I close my eyes and I picture You rejoicing over me with singing right now and I proclaim, “Ta-da”. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.