Fearfully, Wonderfully, Marvelously
How many things– people, plants, animals, etc.– did God create and then claim they were not good? Can you think of a single thing? It’s impossible to name a single thing– because after every workday in His Creation week, He pronounced that “it is good.” (Genesis 1:31)
Did you know that this includes you and me as well? Sure, we live in a sin-cursed world. The universe no longer functions perfectly like it was meant to. But that doesn’t mean that what God created wasn’t good.
Psalm 139 sheds a little more light on God’s involvement in each of our unique designs. David tells us,
For thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;
and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
-Psalm 139:13-16
This beautiful praise-poem tells us some things about God and how He designed us.
- He was involved in our body’s design since our conception.
- He covered– also translated as “knit”– us when we were in utero.
- We are His creation, and therefore fearfully, wonderfully, and marvelously made.
- He knows us– each of our disabilities, “flaws,” quirks, “blemishes,” idiosyncracies, et. It was all part of the design.
When we complain about not having that flat tummy, about how fat we are, about our weight struggle, about how long our noses are, about how big our feet are, about how we do not look like society says we ought to look, we are telling God, “I don’t like Your design! It isn’t good! You ruined it!” God has a plan and a purpose for every dimple, stretch mark, and everything else. He purposefully made every bit of you how He wanted it– with its particular struggles and tendencies. I’m not telling you to go eat all the cake, and sit on the couch all day vegging; my point is, take a moment to be grateful for God’s artistry and, by faith, accept it as unique, valuable, and marvelous. Because that is exactly what it is. Can we praise God for His creation– beginning with ourselves?
In future posts, I want to explore this topic in more depth. There is SO much more to say, and many more ways in which the truth of Scripture affects the way we see ourselves and our bodies. But for now, I hope this brief look at a well-know passage speaks some grace, truth, and Biblical positivity into your heart!
