Children's Messages
Fearful or Wonderful?
by Mary Gruell
Bible Text: Psalm 139:13-14
Message: What do you think of when you think of Africa? Many think first of African animals: lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and others. One of the animals that missionaries come in contact with most are spiders. In West Africa, among the most common spiders are the large, brown, thick bodied ones which don't spin webs.
New missionary in West Africa, when visiting other missionaries in their homes, might wonder why they let those large, ugly spiders continue to live on their walls. That question may be answered the first time he or she sees one of those spiders catch and eat a cockroach or some other insect. Then that missionary could think, "These spiders aren't too bad!" and even come to appreciate them.
Today's Bible verse says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." The spiders in West Africa can definitely seem fearful at first, but wonderful? Yes, they are wonderful because God created them and had a specific purpose for them. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you may see some features that look ugly to you; and if you look inside yourself, you may see some qualities that you don't like. When you start feeling bad about those things, say these words, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
God gave you your ability to run fast, sing well, encourage others, excel at math, or whatever gifts you have. Better than any of those gifts, He gave His Son Jesus to die for you so that by believing in Him you are now a new creation - your sins are forgiven. God sees you as holy because Jesus' blood covers all your sins. You are truly fearfully and wonderfully made!
Now that I've convinced you that you really are wonderful in God's eyes, I want you to know that God can also use you just as you are. In Mark 16 verse 15, Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." He didn't just say this to His disciples. He says it to you and me also.
There are many people who still do not know and believe in Jesus. We want to go and tell them. We can go to our family members, our friends and classmates, and our neighbors and tell them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that Jesus loves them very much. We can also pray for overseas missionaries who go to different places to share that same message with others and for the missionaries who go to help people translate the Bible into their own language so that they can really read and understand God's message of love to them in His Word. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God can use you to tell others about Him.
Let's Pray: Thank you, heavenly Father, for the way You formed us. You gave us special gifts. Help us to recognize what they are and to use those gifts to serve You and to share your love and your Word with the people You have brought into our lives. Thank You, especially, that through Jesus' death, You have washed us clean of our sins and made us Your children. Help us remember always that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Please be with those who still need to hear that message. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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