“Matt* and Loren* are coming to visit the weekend after next. Would you be able to join us for dinner that Saturday night?” I asked, Dave*, the worship leader of our church.
I had just arrived at ensemble practice. Dave was already there organizing music.
“Yeah, I’ll come. It’ll be great to catch up with them.” Matt and Loren were mutual friends who had moved away.
“We’ll probably eat around six, but come early—say five? That’ll give us more time to chat,” I added.
Dave whipped a pen off the piano and wrote a note to himself—on his hand.
I had to smile. Dave was/is one of the most creative, musically talented young men I’ve ever met. Not only is he a concert-trained pianist, he’s a composer with a gift for turning artful melodies into worship.
But in those days, he would have been the first to tell you that keeping track of details or appointments was a challenge; thus the notes-on-the-hand habit. If the commitment was right there in front of him, he’d most likely remember to put it on his calendar later. The message wouldn’t be forgotten amidst all the ideas and musical themes racing through his head.
I know someone else who writes information on the palm of his hand. The information is your name and mine. The someone? Our Heavenly Father.
(“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
–Isaiah 49:16 NIV)
Of course, this assurance was addressed to the people of Israel, but it’s applicable to each of us, because: 1) those of us who believe in Jesus have been adopted into Abraham’s family (Galatians 3:6-9), and 2) God does not lose sight of the individual within the multitude (Luke 3:3-7).
“God loves each of us as if there was only one of us.”
–St. Augustine
But don’t think of God’s love as perfunctory or pity-driven.
You are a treasure to your Heavenly Father—the delight of his heart (Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 149:4).
You and I are constantly in his thoughts (Psalm 139 17-18).
And the imagery of our names engraved (cut, carved, or etched) on his palms brings to mind several important truths:
- God cannot and will not forget us or abandon us.
- His omniscient knowledge doesn’t just include our names, but also who we are—our personalities, dreams, circumstances, strengths and weaknesses—everything about us—is on his mind.
- Our images engraved on God’s palms represent an incredible role reversal. In ancient times, slaves bore the brand mark of their masters. But our Master has sacrificially submitted himself to inscribe our names on his palms.
- The image represents who we are becoming in God’s view, which is undoubtedly different from ours. “Reality is not what we see; reality is what God sees” (Biblical Illustrator). And that reality is perfection.
(“By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever
those who are being made holy.”
–Hebrews 10:14 NIV)
Of course, that one sacrifice was Jesus, who bled and died on a cross so we might be made right with God and receive the gift of eternal life.
As a result, Isaiah 49:16 (about our names written on God’s palms) has taken on new meaning:
“See, I have engraved you—in blood—on the palms of my hands.”
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you, Heavenly Father, that it is totally impossible for you to forget your own. How humbling to realize I am engraved on your hands—hands that withstood the nails for me. But gratitude alone is terribly insufficient.
I want your name, Lord, engraved on my palms, so I might become that perfected reality you already see.
*Names have been changed.
Art & photo credits: www.pinterest.com (3)
“Reality is not what we see; reality is what God sees.” Exactly what I needed to read.
Isn’t that a powerful statement? Hit me between the eyes, too. So glad it ministered to you, Michael.
Thank you. I’ve decided the most important thing for us to really know is the love that God has for us individually, through Jesus Christ. (Eph 3). Everything else revolves around that.
I think you’re right, Dawn!
Wonderful blog. The role reversal was something I never heard; that’s our Jesus. I also liked your idea of engraving His name on our palms. Thank you, Nancy.
Thank you, Nikki! The role reversal explanation was new to me, too. And yes, it illustrates exactly his gracious love for each of us, doesn’t it. Happy Easter, dear cousin!
Thank you Nancy your blog encouraged me today!!
I am honored to be an encouragement to you, Lynda. Praise God and thank you!
Filled with love for the One who has inscribed our names on His palm. Beautiful thought to add to others pondered on this Good Friday. I especially appreciated your #3 point about the role reversal. Thank You!
That information in Point #3 caught my attention, too. New revelations do augment our love and adoration for our God and Savior. May you have a glorious Easter, Carol!
beautiful words and graphics. Needed to read this uplifting message tonight
Thank you, Jean. It’s always a blessing to bless someone else, isn’t it? Praise God for his inspiration. Happy Easter, Jean! He is risen!
Those beautiful hands of our Savior. It took my breath away reading this post, realizing anew that in addition to the nails driven through those hands for me…He has me in the palm of his hands! The first point “God cannot and will not forget us or abandon us.” has been demonstrated to me for the past two weeks in particular as my Mom suffered a TIA. With HIS promises I have come through a scary time in my life. How I love my Savior!
Praise God for his faithful care of us–especially during those moments of crisis. Your witness of that fact over the past two weeks has surely blessed many! We ARE in the palm of his hands.
Gee! I think I know “Dave”… But more important, I KNOW I’m personally acquainted with the ONE who has engraved my name on HIS hand. Thanks, Nancy, for your wonderful reminder.
It blesses my heart that you found a “wonderful reminder” within this post, Debbie. (And yes, you DO know “Dave!”)
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Thank you, Bruce!