"We are Wonderfully Made"

When it comes to our bodies, there has been a lot of talk and a lot of confusion lately. In our day and age, I feel that there has been a loss of conversation about the body’s goodness, purpose, and end. Today, there are so many people who live life with disliking their bodies and also because of poor choices people deal with shame and guilt. Because of this, many people abuse their body through self-harm or try to do something about it with self-improvement. People today get obsessed with looking good. Makeup and photographic technology can make people think they will look just the right way or even look perfect. But even the best bodies have scars or wrinkles and eventually age and die. No body is ever perfect in appearance or in health. So people keep trying to do whatever they can because they are just not happy.

Surveys show that most people are so unhappy with their bodies that they would seriously trade them in for something better and more attractive. Because they are unhappy with themselves or their body, many people attempt to get rid of all the bad things or blemishes by the pursuit of bodily self-improvement. Think about some of the things that people do to self-improve.

-Diet and exercise.

-Makeup and dress.

-Tattoos.

-And then if that is not enough people go as far to have surgery. This is a big deal today. Not only cosmetic surgery, but even as far to change their gender.

When these efforts fail to deliver the desired outcome, people despise their bodies and treat them harshly as if to punish them for their failure.

People today live as if their bodies are their own. This world has forgotten, and needs to remember this, where do we come from? Who gave us our bodies? Who designed us? This is foundational church!!!

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

There is a Divine Creator who has designed each and everyone of us for His good pleasure. God has made us male and female and there is nothing else. God has made us so that He can accomplish though us His good plans. God prizes our bodies and sees worth in them because after all he is the one who designed us.

Recently in the news and elsewhere we have heard the slogan, “My body! My Choice.” Something else that I read about recently was a rather shocking statement made by a young woman. She said, “Your body may be a temple, but mine is an amusement park.” Both of these statements sum up how people view, and now regard their bodies. Many people think that since their bodies belong to them, or at least this is how they view it, they can do as they please with it. So, today we see many folks live as if their bodies are amusement in pursuing physical pleasure for themselves apart from what God has to say about a better and more pleasing way to live.

So, let me start here. The main problem is this. Our bodies are not our own. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Scripture tells us very specifically we are not our own. God resides in our bodies if we are believers. We are filled with the fullness of God. And because of this we are to glorify and honor God with our bodies. Here is how Paul explains it in his letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We have been designed or created in God’s image. All human bodies are meant to be holy even as God is holy. Because of this we are not just designed for this world but also the eternal world. So, no matter how damaged our bodies may look or feel, every human body is designed by God.

One of the problems that we see today is that people confuse the way they look, with what they are, and identify themselves with their appearance. They treat their body as an object, a thing, apart from the person, and it’s relationship with others and God. People today idolized their bodies. And yet because of this they also underrate and despise their bodies. They don’t appreciate how amazing and wonderful God has designed them to be.

Sadly, our society as a whole does not know what to make of the body. People today disagree more than ever on what it is, what it is meant to do, and how it is to be regarded. And I would say that the biggest matter of contention today is in regards to its sexual character.

Think about all the disagreements in our society today on this specific matter.

-We have sexuality and gender issues.

-We have same-sex issues.

-We have cosmetic and gender reassignment issues.

-We have abortion and even euthanasia issues.

-We have issues regarding transgender people playing sports.

-We have pornography and voyeurism issues. And believe me the list continues to go on.

What I want you to know today church is that God’s Word shows us the fact that our human bodies really do matter to God. So let’s turn to God’s Word on this issue. Psalm 139.

1. God is the only one who has an accurate vision of us.

Psalm 139:1–6 ESV

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

God has a very accurate vision of us because he sees us physically, mentally, personally, and spiritually.

What we see here is that King David is the author of this hymn and lament. David is very honest and open to the fact that the Lord knows every part of his life.

Here in the first 5 verses we see 8 different Hebrew words that show us God knows who we are intimately.

1. O Lord you have searched me and known me. (vs. 1)

2. You know when I sit down and get up. (vs. 2)

3. You understand my thoughts from far away. (vs. 2)

4. You observe my travels and my rest. (vs. 3)

5. You are aware of all my ways. Everything! (vs. 3)

6. Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord know all about it. (vs. 4)

7. You have encircled me. (vs. 5)

8. You have placed your hand on me. (vs. 5)

Each of these words helps us to understand God's knowledge of us. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our most common activities. He also knows the most intricate details of our lives as well. He is with us even when we think we're alone. God is with us when we are hurting and stressed out. God is discerning and knows what makes us tick and why we do what we do. God goes before our steps. He knows precisely what you will say or do next, as if it had already been uttered or performed.

My point is this, God knows your heart, your fears, your thoughts, motives, dreams, and frustrations. He knows your past, present and your future. He understands you. He notices what's going on around you, to you, inside you. He gets you. He loves you just the way you are and just the way that he has designed you. You can rest assured about this, God knows us.

When David says here in verse 5 that God has laid His hand upon him, he's referring to an OT practice of bestowing a blessing on someone. A wise father would place his hands on his children and speak words into their lives about who they are and will be, what their place in the family meant, and what their future will be. This was one of the most important acts that happened in Hebrew families.

In the same way, your Heavenly Father who knows you, wants to pour out His blessing on you. If you are a believer today, we have hope and peace because God’s Word tells us that we are His children, and we are part of His family. We matter to God! You life matters to Him.

2. The Word of God shows us how much the human body matters to God.

Psalm 139:7–12 ESV

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

David begins to take all of this in and he sees that God knows him and the knowledge of God is too wonderful for him. He also says here in verse 6 that this knowledge is high and David is unable to reach it. What this shows us is that David is having a hard time dealing with this. It's just too overwhelming for him, and out of his reach!."

I think David's first instinct here can be the same as ours .

-God how can I escape?

- Where can I hide?

- If God knows all about me, then that is really tough. Why? Because he knows I am a sinner. He knows I'm a hypocrite, He's heard my lies, He saw what I did last week." We as humans have rebelled against God. Romans 3:23 tells us of this. So often, we don’t let God shine through us, we are selfish human beings, doing what we think is right in our bodies. This is a big problem. Our sin separates us from a holy and righteous God. When we sin we try to hide and cover up and wonder where can we get away from God?

David's fear of being exposed made him wonder and question if there was some place, geographically or spiritually, to which he could hide? But God will not let David run away. "He tracks my path," says David. Everywhere we go, God is there. He is determined to give him grace, and to be involved in his life."

That's what David is saying in v. 10 when he says, "Your hand will lead me (which means guidance); Your right hand will hold on to me (that's security).

You know what this means today church? You are wanted by God. Your body and life matter to God. We have been given a wonderful thing, and we should do our best to take good care of our bodies and to honor God in and with our bodies.

3. God has fearfully and wonderfully made us.

Psalm 139:13–16 ESV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Think about the importance of these words church. It was God who (put us together) knit you together in your mother's womb. This is a picture of the intricate attention to detail to life.

Think about a seamstress as she creates a garment one thread at a time. All the little details matter.

And notice that phrase in v. 14 where David writes, "I have been remarkably and wonderfully made." The adverbs in that sentence make it very clear to us that after God made you, He threw away the mold. You are totally unique, a one-of-a-kind person, you are fashioned with awe-inspiring skill by the Almighty God right down to your fingerprint. Again let me say this. Your life matters to God and it even matters to Him before you are born.

(Talk quickly about abortion) I believe that life begins at conception. Even in the womb that precious little life matters to God and it should matter to us church. Every year millions and millions of little babies are murdered, and that breaks my heart because God is the one who gave them life.

Now on the other side of this equation, are those who have life, but may not like how things are going. What I mean by that is I know today that some of you may not like what you see in the mirror. You may not like something about your body or a certain blemish, so remember this today, God has fearfully and wonderfully made you. You matter to God.

He gave you a personality, innate abilities, spiritual gifts, and a particular purpose that sets you apart for Him. You are His treasured creation, made in His likeness.Remember these 3 things today. God knows you. He wants you. He made you.

Closing: As believers our approach should not be an angry or hateful mindset to those who disagree with us on this issue. I think we should have a positive approach about the beauty of physical human life and of the world as God’s creation. God is the one who gives us life, He is the one who designed life, marriage and sex, and all of this can be a beautiful and wonderful thing. Here is how Paul sums things up.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Everyday we should take time to praise God for what He has given us. He has fearfully and wonderfully made us. Every human body, no matter how beautiful, plain or even disabled it is, is a gift from God. God looks beyond our outward appearances and sees what is inside. First Peter says it like this.

1 Peter 3:4 ESV

but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Application/Challenge: Here is my challenge Church, since God is the creator of everything including mankind, we would do well to take good care of our bodies. We need to treat them wisely and use them well, because God values them so highly. We are all image bearers and every human body, is indeed somebody.