ISAIAH 49:14-16

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; your walls are ever before me."

TO PONDER

"I know these roads better than the back of my hands." This is something that I often heard my dad say as he took us on bush tracks in his little 4WD ute to get to some out of the way fishing spot. There were times early on, when I did wonder how well dad really knew where he was going. Over time though I came to trust that he usually did get us to some pretty amazing fishing locations. They didn't always produce fish, but because they were so isolated and out of the way, we always enjoyed the peace and beauty of these out-of-the-way places.

There is something about our own hands that are instantly recognisable to us. In fact, I would even be fairly confident that if you put my wife's hands in a 'hand line-up' I'd even be able to pick hers out of a bunch. Knowing a person's hands on sight is a sign of intimate relationship and familiarity. That's what we mean when we use the phrase "know it like the back of my hand."

God, in this prophetic discourse between himself and the people of Israel, in the hearing of Isaiah the prophet, says that he has his people 'Zion' or in other words, the people of Israel, engraved on the palms of his hands. God will not forget his people, they are permanently marked on his hand. Like a reminder written in permanent ink or tattooed there forever. God knows you like the back of his own hand. He knows when you are struggling, he knows that you need him and he will not forget you. When Jesus stretched out his arms on the cross, and his palms lay open for all the world to see, God saw your own name written on his hand and was reminded that what Jesus did, he did for you. Now that's something to think about.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you remember your people. Thank you that I can trust that you will not forget me but will always have me in mind in every situation and circumstance. May that knowledge help me to be more bold in living in your love and sharing your grace with others. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle