Solomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah records for us an amazing promise: God will not forget us. The Amplified says that He has “tattooed a picture” on His hand, and other translations say that He has “written your name.”
My dad used to write notes to himself on his hands; this isn’t like that. Those notes, even if they were written with a Sharpie, wash off. It’s a temporary thing. I like the word engraved that the NIV uses, and also that the translators used you rather than name. God isn’t saying, “I’ve made a mental note about your need; I’ll get back to you.” No, He’s telling us that we are ever before Him and on His mind. People get tattoos on many parts of the body; if I tattooed Teddie’s name on my bicep, I could kind of see it, but not that easily — I would have to make an effort to turn my head and raise my arm. But not so with my hands: our hands are always in front of us, easy to see, inescapable.
And notice, too, that here God speaks for Himself. Sometimes the prophets tell us, “The Lord said that…” But here, God speaks directly: “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” He wants us to hear His voice saying, “You are important to me.”
Father, thank You for this promise, this affirmation of Your enduring, unfailing love. Help me to hear Your voice and not the voice of the enemy that would say You have forgotten me. This is not so. I am engraved on the palm of Your hand, and I can rest in the assurance of Your love and care.
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Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.