I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.  

- Isaiah 49:15-16

Have you ever written something on the palm of your hand so you don't forget it?

Now that we have cell phones, most of us use those to keep track of the things in our lives. They remind us of special dates and appointments and keep track of our most precious memories and photos.

Even though God doesn't need a reminder to remember us, He still gives us the reassurance that He loves us so much He has engraved us on the palms of His hands.

Christ took the pain and suffering of the cross for us so that we could be forgiven and live for eternity with Him.

His hands will forever bear the mark of the nails that pierced them—of the pain and suffering He took for me and you. It's so amazing that Jesus would lay down His life for us, enduring the pain of what we deserved.

And yet, Christ continually reassures us that He not only gave His life for us but also loves us so much that He will not forget us.

This passage tells us that no matter how treacherous and disloyal Israel had been, God promised to remember His covenant of love. When Israel repented and turned back to the Lord, He always forgave them and welcomed them back—just like the father did with the prodigal son and just as God does with us!

Through this poetic imagery, God reassures us that He cannot forget us. He has "engraved" us on His hands.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for welcoming me back when I have strayed. Forgive me, Lord, and help me to stay close to you. Amen.

With Love,
Sherry Shepherd