April 9, 2020
Isaiah 49-Part 4
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before Me.
(verse 16)
LET IT GLOW
Do you feel forsaken and forgotten by the LORD? Today we find reassurances that you and I are not forsaken nor forgotten by our God. Stay connected with Him in the Word and with others.
Previously, we discovered that God will not forget us. (verse 15b) Now we read of another promise.
Read our key verse above. Okay, now read it again. We have two written promises in black and white.
1. The divine love of God for His people is said to be infinitely greater than the strongest form of human love, that is, greater than a mother's love for her infant child. There is more likelihood, therefore, that a mother would forget to have compassion on her child than that God would forget Zion (Jerusalem) and His children today. How can He forget her/us when He has her engraved on the palms of His hands, and when her walls are never out of His mind?
God's unfailing love, even in the face of human indifference and disobedience, is the cord that binds both He and us believers. [Resource: The Broadman Bible Commentary]
In the Hebrew language, in which the Old Testament was written, graven refers to engraven; to enact (cut in stone); print; set. Palms means middle; power. Walls refers to a wall of protection.
Applying this to us personally and individually, God has carved, engraved, us/our names in the middle or palms of His hands, like a tattoo.
God's relationship with us is such that He is inseparably united to His people. (Falwell)
John Gill's Exposition says:
God's people are always in His sight, His eyes were ever upon them, and never withdrawn from them; as anything held in the hand, or tied to or wore upon it, as a signet or ring that has the name of a person on it, to which the allusion may be; which shows how near and dear they are to Him, what affection He has for them, and care of them.
John 10:27-28 says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
Once we are in the hands of Jesus, no one can remove us. Take comfort in He's got the whole world in His hands.
Dear friend, God will not leave us or forsake us, either. (Hebrews 13:5)
LET IT GROW
Look at the second part of our key verse. What is the second promise God makes?
2. Our walls are continually before Him. This could refer to the walls of Jerusalem, which needed rebuilding, as well as the walls of their houses, that needed to reconstructed, too. God enjoys inhabiting the places where His children are. (Babylon came into Jerusalem and destroyed everything-city walls, the Temple, and homes of the Jews.)
The devil tries to come into our homes and destroy our family by bringing fear with him. Especially since we are confined to our homes, this is true. Also, we can fear financial failure.
Take comfort in knowing that God is constantly caring for and concerned for our protection and safety as His church and people. He places angels about them, salvation for walls and bulwarks to them. God Himself is a wall of fire about them (26:1). (John Gill)
LET IT GO
Thank You God that You are always with us, always thinking of us, loving us, and caring for us.
Please renew our confidence in You.
Thank You that You never forsake us nor forget about us.
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