“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16 ESV)
Yesterday we read that, according to Ecclesiastes, our life is in God’s hand. He determines the course of our life. Whether that fact is comforting or rather disturbing depends on our view of God and our experiences thus far. Does He rule “with a heavy hand,” or are His hands caring and loving?
The prophet Isaiah writes about a dark period in the history of the people of Israel. After countless warnings, they faced God’s judgment. They were trampled by hostile nations and lost their land. In shock they cried out, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me!” (Isaiah 49:14 ESV). It certainly seemed that way. Yet it was not true. Through the prophet Isaiah, God assured His people: “I will not forget you … I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 ESV)
This image becomes even more meaningful when, centuries later, God the Son allows Himself to be nailed to a cross to die for His people. The nails driven through His hands leave deep wounds. Even when He conquers death and appears alive again before His disciples, the scars are still visible. God’s love for us humans is forever engraved in His hands!
What image do God’s hands evoke for you?