Tom Barnard

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you

out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”

(Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV)

“I know I’m somebody, ‘cause God don’t make no junk.”

Ethel Waters

I have met thousands of people during my lifetime, and I have never—not even once—met someone that wanted to be a “nobody.” And I have never heard of a parent that wanted a son or daughter to turn out to be a loser. In his book, Developing the Leader Within You, John C. Maxwell said, “Every person in the world is hungry. Yes, every person in this world is hungry for something, be it recognition, companion-ship, understanding, love—the list is endless.”

The Oxford English Dictionary has traced the use of the word “self-esteem” (in the English language) as far back as 1657. It has been argued that John Milton first coined the term. Wikipedia states that self-esteem has become “the third most frequently occurring theme in psychological literature.” Psychologist Nathaniel Branden (1969) said that “self-esteem is indispensable to normal and healthy self-development, and has a value for survival.”

KidsHealth says that healthy self-esteem “is a child’s armor against the challenges of the world...Kids who feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.” Patterns of self-esteem begin early in childhood and last well into adulthood.  

The Israelites needed a large dose of self-confidence. They had been slaves in Egypt for more than ten generations—four hundred years. When Moses was selected by God to lead the Children of Israel out of bondage, Moses himself needed a shot of self-esteem. Do you remember how Moses tried to weasel out of his role as leader of the Exodus? “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since you have spoken to your servant…I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

Moses and the Children of Israel needed an uptick of self-esteem. God gave it to them. In Deuteronomy, Chapter 7, God let them know they were “somebody.” He said, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people on the face of the earth….”

How is your self-esteem? Do you consider yourself a “nobody” or a “somebody”? Ethel Waters had it right: “I know I’m somebody, ‘cause God don’t make no junk.” Grab on to that, my friend. It’s time to consider yourself a “somebody.” Because it’s true. Begin today.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I struggle with self-doubt. It’s hard to look at myself and feel totally good about what I see. “Old and overweight” describes me. I have difficulty thinking positively about my contributions to your Kingdom. I know my faults; they stand out in my mind above my abilities. But in my heart I know you believe in me. I tend to see my problems; you see my potential. Lift my sights to the level of your expectations for me. Help me to see myself as you saw the Children of Israel—your people and your treasured possession. Amen.