You are a string around God's finger

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 49:14-26

TO CHEW ON: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16a

In today's tender reading from Isaiah, God reminds Israel of His unending remembrance of them. "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands," He says. Notice, it's plural. Both hands. There's no way He'll forget!

"This alludes to the custom of those who tie a string upon their hands or fingers to put them in mind of things which they are afraid they shall forget, or to the wearing of signet or locket rings in remembrance of some dear friend," explains Matthew Henry's Commentary. "His setting them thus as a seal upon his arm denotes his setting them as a seal upon his heart, and his being ever mindful of them and their interests" - Matthew Henry's Commentary, p. 901.

As those who have been "grafted in" to inherit God's promises to Israel (Romans 11:1-36), we can hug this promise to ourselves, along with others that remind us of how precious and important we are to God:

1. He has found, encircled and instructed us (Deuteronomy 32:10).
2. We are His crown and royal diadem (Isaiah 62:3).
3. We are the apple of HIs eye (Zechariah 2:8).
4. We are lifted up as His banner (Zechariah 9:16).
5. We are spared as sons (Malachi 3:17)
6. Jesus, God the Son, loved us and gave His life for us (Ephesians 5:25).
7. We are purchased with His blood (Acts 29:28).

If you are feeling like God has forgotten you, He has not. You are a string around his finger. He watches, listens to, and thinks of you constantly (Psalm 139:3,4, 17-18).

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for these reminders of how intimately You know me. Today please remind my family and friends, who feel forsaken, of Your awareness of and tenderness toward them. Amen.

MORE: "Whisper His Name" by Jonathan Stockstill