In Isaiah 49:14-21, God's people are complaining that God has forgotten them and abandoned them (v.14).
Ever felt like that?
God answers this complaint with a promise, “I will not forget you!” (v.15).
God is eternally committed to His people. He would never forget them. His love for them is unshakable. And God is so committed to His people that He says in verse 16a, “See I have engraved you on the palms of my hand”.
God's commitment
Did you see it; God's tattoo!
Well, not exactly. God is speaking figuratively – using an image we understand. God doesn't have hands. God doesn't have a body. God is Spirit. So God doesn't really have “tats”. But verse 16a shows us how committed God is to His people.
You see, when a person has someone's name tattooed onto their body, you know they are pretty keen on them.
A tattoo is a permanent mark which symbolizes enduring love and commitment and relationship and affection. This is the type of commitment God has to His people.
The hands of Jesus
So what's that got to do with you?
Plenty! By faith in Jesus, you can be one of God's people.
If you believe that Jesus is God and that he died for our sins and came back to life again. And if you give the controls of your life over to Jesus, you are one of God's people too. Amazing!
And so, if you ever feel like God has forgotten you or abandoned you, look at God's hands (“but hang on, you said God doesn't have hands”).
What I mean is, look at the hands of Jesus on the cross and see the nails that have left a permanent mark of enduring love and commitment and relationship and affection to YOU.
Yes, YOU!
And be assured that God will never, ever, in a million, billion years forget you or abandon you!