Through The Bible in a Year - January 12, 2026

"God created man in his own image...male and female he created them." – Genesis 1:27

Notice what God establishes first: His image. Notice what comes later: everything else.

Image comes before gender — either male or female. Both equally bear God's image. Image comes before marriage. That means you are whole and complete, whether single or married. Image comes before age, weight, or appearance. God never tells us Adam's perfect age or size. Image comes before jobs and careers. Occupations don't appear until Genesis 4. Image comes before race and ethnicity. Nationalities aren't mentioned until Genesis 10.

What does this order mean and why does it matter? It means that God is establishing what determines value before anything else: simply being human. It’s not your marital status, appearance, career success, or ethnic background. Just your humanity is what establishes you as one made in God’s image.

In a world that constantly tells you to prove your worth through performance, appearance, relationships, or achievements, God says: "You're valuable because you're made in my image. Period. I made you to reflect my glory, my nature and character, and because that is true of you, you are precious to me."

This means singles are whole, not incomplete. The elderly are precious, not disposable. Those with disabilities are image-bearers, not broken mistakes. Every race and ethnicity reflects God's glory. Your job title doesn't determine your worth. God’s image determines your worth, and you are precious to Him.

Respond: Which cultural message about worth have you believed instead? That you need the right appearance, relationship status, career, or achievement to matter? Today, reject that lie and embrace this truth: you are made in God's image, and that alone establishes your value.

Prayer: Creator God, thank You for establishing my worth before I did anything, achieved anything, or became anything. Help me stop chasing the world's standards for value and rest in Your design. I am made in Your image—that is enough. Teach me to see others this way too. In Jesus' name, amen.