Engraved

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 49:15-16

Standing in an auditorium, with the lights low and every head bowed and every eye closed, should a pastor ask, "Is there someone in here who has been hurt? Perhaps you were hurt by your parents, grandparents, relatives, siblings, spouse, friend. Are there any in here who have a void, a hole in their heart, who need the love of Jesus to come in and fill it up? If that's you, raise your hand." To that question, hands would go up all over the place. It would be the majority, if not all hands.

And why, you ask? Because we live in a fallen world where hurting people tend to hurt other people, instead of to help others and in turn, help themselves. The saying, "Misery loves company," was probably spoken by someone who witnessed it, who experienced it first hand. So in this fallen land, what hope have we? None, if we are determined to stand on our own. But those whose trust is in the Lord have a new hope and an eternal promise. They have the love of a Father who promises, "I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you in the palms of my hands." And do you know why He took such care in creating us, and in carving us in the palms of His hands? It is because He loves us with an everlasting love and He dotes on us daily. We are His prize and His bride and He wanted to have us with Him, always.

If you are feeling alone, abandoned, mistreated, abused, you don't have to go it alone any longer, wondering why this person who swore to love you has treated you like rubbish. When you're feeling lost and alone, you don't have to look down any longer. Look up! He's waiting for you to turn to Him so that He can wipe away your tears. He wants to hold you and comfort you and kiss you. He loves you--all of us--so much!

Lord, you say in your Word that when the righteous cry out, you hear them and deliver them from their troubles, that you are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit, (see Psalm 34:17-22). Lord, today I pray that you would do as you say in your word: that you would deliver those who need relief, that you would draw close to those who need comfort, and that you would lift up those who are crushed and downtrodden. Father, we all need a Savior and we are all seeking one--even those who have never met you. Lord, I pray that those who are seeking you would be found by you today and that those who are without hope would find hope eternal in you. Lord, as the song says, you are the lover of my soul and I have full confidence that you will never let me go. Thank you Lord Jesus, for all these wonderful gifts. It is in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.