The word “unworthy” generally means undeserving of attention, respect, support, or consideration. Are you feeling utterly unworthy in any way? Do you feel defeated? Are you sinking to the depths of woe? Do you feel that God has abandon you? Have you ever felt to throw up your hands in despair? Are you feeling depressed or dispirited? Maybe one or more of these questions apply to you or someone you know. To be truthful, absolutely no one is worthy. However, we can become worthy through what the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the Cross. “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin; so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
There is no justification to remain in an “unworthy” condition. Feelings come and feelings go. Therefore, we cannot trust or rely on feelings. But we can definitely trust and rely on God who created us and went to the extent of providing salvation for us through His Son Jesus Christ. God so loved us that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Having done this, what else wouldn’t God do for us?
God is the God of great compassion. The Bible tells us, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13,14). The word “fear” in this context means “reverential fear” for God, which is reverence and honor to Him. The Scriptures also state that “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him” (Lamentations 3:22-24). Maybe the writer of that ancient church hymn was inspired by this Bible verse, when he wrote “Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee, Thou changes not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be” (Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960).
No mortal man knows what the future holds for any of us. But this we can be absolutely sure of that God and God alone holds the future. Being eternal, God does not dwell in time and space as we do. Therefore, our times are entirely in His hands. James writes, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:14,15).
There will come times in our earthly life when “negative thoughts” seem to preoccupy our minds and we begin thinking that God has abandoned us because we are not worthy of His help to restore us. This is not the God of the Bible. God cannot fail, and He has pledged His word. We must simply hand over the problem to Him, seeking His intervention. When Joshua was about to succeed Moses in leading the children of Israel into the promised land, Moses spoke these words to Joshua, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). These are words that must get our attention. Jesus also declared: “I am the vine you are the branches . . . for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Hence we must depend on God to lead, guide, and direct our lives.
Interestingly, C H Spurgeon said it absolutely right, “When you feel yourself to be utterly unworthy you hit the truth . . . If we come to such deep humiliation of spirit, the next word is this: let us go together to the great salvation which God has provided in the person of Christ Jesus . . . we are never safer I am sure, never healthier, never in a better frame than when we are right flat down on the ground before the cross” Spurgeon’s words ring true for us today. “The ground before the cross” is actually where we need to be when trials oppress us and burdens distress us for soul searching, contemplation, and mediation. It is here that the “dark clouds” will begin to disappear and “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Note: “The LORD your God is in your midst.” The tense is in the present—right now. The guarantee of God’s ever abiding presence.
Part of an ancient hymn reads. “How utterly unworthy I am dear Lord of thee. Yet thou art always showering thy love and grace on me. Though often times I stumble and fail to do thy will. Thy love and grace and mercy abideth with me still” (Author unknown). Also S. C. Kirk highlights the capability of the Lord to deliver on His promises when he wrote, “The Lord has declared and the Lord will perform, He keepeth His promise forever; “Behold I am near to deliver. A refuge and fortress, a covert in storm;” He keepeth His promise forever” (S. C. Kirk, 1847-1917).
As believers, our part is to have faith in God. “Commit your way to the LORD, trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5). May it be your resolve to prayerfully draw near to God and in response, He will draw near to you. May the Lord bless you richly.