Matthew chapter 10 verses 2-3 (NIV)
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Matthew chapter 10 verses 29-31 (NIV)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Galatians Chapter 1: Verse 10 (NIV)
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Bible Trivia Question. How many of Jesus’ 12 disciples can you name. I’d get nine and would have to apologise to James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot. We know very little about them as individuals. Yet they were commissioned and sent out with the others. We don’t know how the twelve were paired. They shared the journey with Jesus during His three years of ministry, and were commissioned to spread the Gospel after His ascension. They shared the triumphs and the trials with the others. And they heard Jesus tell them that the very hairs on their heads were numbered. So, does it matter that we know less about them than some of the others? It shouldn’t. I’m sure in today’s society some people would feel put out, overlooked, less important. Perhaps we do feel like that sometimes if we feel people don’t appreciate what we do. Perhaps we don’t get the recognition that we should. But is that really important? As Paul told the Galatian church, whose approval is it we are trying to win? If we claim to be followers of Jesus, people pleasing is not important, but pleasing God is. And the good thing is that every hair on our head is numbered too. God knows us inside out.
Dear Lord,
Help me not to be concerned about feeling overlooked or forgotten. So many people today seem to have a fear of missing out. I am grateful that I am just as precious as every sparrow that You have counted and that every hair on my head is known to You. Help me to make sure that my focus should be on pleasing You first. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.