Psalm 139:14 English Standard Version (ESV) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

God is talking about us here. What does this mean to us? If we break this down into its component parts we might want to start with how we are made. Wonderfully made in the Hebrew is pālâ which means to be distinct, marked out, be separated, be distinguished. It has a secondary definition of being wonderful.

These definition fit nicely into words used in relationship to our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Distinct, in that while we are in the world we are not of the world, we are unworldly. Marked out, He has set His seal of protection upon us, His image is upon that seal. Separated, consecrated, holy, set aside unto His purpose. Distinguished in the sense that we should be seen for who we are in Christ and not who we were in our former lives.

Being fearfully made takes on a difference sense when viewed with our personal responsibility in what it means to be made this way. Others may not see it but we should have a sense of reverential fear or respect for how we are made in Christ. I found one telling definition of that in the TWOT listed at the very end of definitions. Shoot, pour is found there.

Having been trained in firearms and the real danger that can occur if respect for the use and purpose of those firearms is ignored. Those dangers cannot be taken lightly or someone is going to be hurt or even killed.

The power of God in the person of the Holy Spirit abides in us. We should have that same respect of use and purpose by which God entrusted to us.

We need to be aware of that with reverential fear.

Jeremiah 12:13 English Standard Version (ESV) They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the Lord.

I am ashamed of what I wrote and was about to release for publication this morning. It was written about a month ago when I was tired and hurried and planning on taking a vacation. I did not do it with the same care and concern as I should. It was a reflection of my exhaustion. I had not been sleeping well. I was not taking care of myself and that is no excuse for poor performance.

I know my tendencies when I am tired. I warn others that I am not at my best. I become intolerant, impatient and I fail to be gracious. I get critical. What I wrote I have erased because it was not acceptable to me. It was a reflection of a servant who is reaping thorns.

I had two choices and I chose the poor one. Here is the right choice.

Matthew 11:28-30 English Standard Version

²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I know how to do this and I chose not to because I was concerned about the labor and not what the Lord wanted in that moment. Entering into His rest, taking on His yoke allows me to be gracious and humble. He makes the labor easy because He does all the work and I become unburdened. I do not have to be ashamed of what the Lord does.

I am ashamed of what I have done. I will not burden you with my problems.