You're so valuable

If all I had was one last breath
I'd spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side

'cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere

If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise a noise to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I'd take it
I would stake it all on You

If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside

If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye

I know You're there
I know You're there
I know You're there, You're there

I've decided this is probably one of my favorite songs of all time for several reasons. Number one, it's Casting Crowns - my favvvorite; number two, it is SO true and His nearness is so clearly presented; number three, it's an amazing worship song; and number four, the idea behind this song helped me through a very very hard time in my life. Though this song hadn't been written yet, it's message is the perfect reminder to me that He is there.

It's not just "God is there", but it's so much more personal, and it's a great reminder that you can say it with full confidence. "I know You're there".
I know He's there because of the changes He's made in my life.
I know He's there because I see works in progress, first hand.
I know He's there because He used a verse in Matthew about sparrows to save my life.
I know He's there becuase the Holy Spirit lives inside me, and makes intercession to God for me "with groanings too deep for words."
I know he's there because of the air I breath and the ground I walk on.

I know, better than I'd like to know, how Satan uses really hard times in your life to bog you down and try to convice you that God isn't there. It's bad enough when Satan tries to discourage you and make you ineffective for God, but I think it's even worse when Satan discourages you to the point that you think your own life isn't worth the struggle.

MT10:29-31 NIV - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

These verses got my attention. And I really think a lot of it had to do with the translation. I had also read these verses in the New American Standard, which I prefer, but the NIV was so clear.
"Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." MAN! Every time I read that I am seriously blown away. Its super poetic, for one thing, but the words "don't be afraid; you are worth" is what gets me. You are worth it. The NAS says, "you are more valuable."
And yeah, a sparrow seems like a little piddling thing, but think about the vast amount of sparrows all over the world. I venture to say that you've seen one today without looking for it. They're everywhere.

If God cares enough to keep some ugly brown birds up in the sky, with worms to eat, and a grass house to live in, then realize how much more He must care about you.

He holds allllll the little sparrows in His hand. He doesn't let any of them die unless it's His will. It's not like it takes him by suprise. If he knows when a sparrow dies.... then He really cares about you. He's not going to let you out of His hand, either.

This passage, along with Matthew 10, really really saved my life. This is Romans 8:24-39. When I hit rock bottom, I found this passage and memorized it. And then I said it to Satan every time he tried to frustrate me. These words are so powerful.

24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (<---Yee-haw! That's good stuff)

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, norangels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sooo, that's really long. I decided I'm not going to elaborate on it, I could write another whole note on these verses. Maybe I'll do that later. But for now, I highlighted the parts that were of particular use to me. I hope this passage kicks you in the butt like it did me. It jump started me and got me going again.

So my whole point is--

God is here. You are valuable. You are worth something. He cares so much. He will never let you out of His hand.