Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Bible in a Year: Job 5-6 | Matthew 5

Compliments feel really good. It’s so rewarding for me to get positive feedback on something I’ve worked hard for, or to hear that someone likes my ideas. Every word of encouragement makes me glow inside. My brain fires off a surge of dopamine, telling me, “I did something right!”

“I am making people proud!”

“God must love me so much for my hard work!”

But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. God isn’t impressed by anything we do. On the flip side, he is never disappointed either. After all, we can’t disappoint someone who already knows everything about us.

Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

This verse in Ephesians tells us that even our faith, our belief in Jesus, is a gift from God. He softens our hearts to receive the Good News about his Son, and he helps us continue to seek him when doubts and anxiety creep in.

God doesn’t choose us based on something we’ve accomplished. Our looks, achievements, career, or relationship status can’t earn us a place in God’s family. He doesn’t even pick us because of who we are - our personalities and preferences don’t change his opinion of us.

God is omnipotent and omniscient - all powerful and all knowing - so he doesn’t need us … but he does want us. God chooses us because of who he is. He is a Father who loves his children, an Artist who adores his creation, a King who leaves the throne to rescue his rebellious people.

Don’t get me wrong, good deeds are important. They can be a physical sign of our trust and love for God. But they will never be enough to earn God’s favor. He is already delighted by us.

Zephaniah 3:17
For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Rather than constantly trying to prove our worth, we can take our identity from God. We are his beloved children, and that is the greatest title we will ever receive.

Question:
Where do you tend to find your worth and value?

Next Steps:
When you are tempted to either feel proud of an accomplishment, or sink into shame over a failure, remind yourself of God’s identity and how he sees you. If possible, consider putting a pause on anything you use to find worth. That could mean taking one day a week, or even a few minutes each day, to take a break from that thing and instead refocus on your relationship with God.

Prayer:
Father, there is nothing I can do to earn your favor or love. That is deeply humbling. But I am awed that you still choose me, not because of anything I’ve done, but because of every part of who you are. Please keep drawing me closer and closer to you, that I might rest in your love. I love you. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 1:5
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a South attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.