I heap up praise on people for many things - love, kindness, talent, etc.

Imagine a parent listening to their teenager praise everyone else in their world except the parent - who gives everything for the child day in and day out. What heartbreak to be ignored.

And I wonder… Do I leave God standing by incredulous that I name him in praise so rarely and for so few things with such few words?

We say actions speak louder than words. They do.

Despite how we treat him, God sent Jesus as a baby into this world (action), his only son, to rescue us:

Matthew 1:21 (the angel speaking to Joseph, Mary’s husband) - “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

He bought us back from being slaves to sin:

Matthew 13:44–46 - “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

What if this parable’s meaning isn’t only us selling all to gain God but includes God giving up his son to buy us? Hear the lament of the human heart in realizing God’s love, our weakness, and his heart toward us, anyway:

Jess Ray - Deserve
I don’t treat you as you deserve
You don’t treat me as I deserve…
Outside we are dust
Inside something’s hidden in us
And you, you are sick with love for us
For a treasure in dust
That you would go in your joy
And sell all that you have
And buy the field, the pearl
I don’t treat you as you deserve
But I want to… And I will.

May he help us do it!

Little one, arrange your life to give him all he deserves. Be in his Word. Make more time for it. Schedule it. Seek his face. See his value. Walk with him. Today. Even now.