Graven upon His Palms

Behold, I have graven thee upon
the palms of my hands;
thy walls are continually before me.
~Isaiah 49:16

Monday night Miss Josa spoke in dorm devotions and she brought up this verse. At the time I remember thinking, "That's a good verse," but I was soooo tired that night that I really didn't think much more about it. Today in my devotions I read the verse again. Matthew Henry wrote: "Some mothers do neglect their children; but God's compassions to his people, infinitely exceed those of the tenderest parents toward their children. His setting them as a mark on his hand, or a seal upon his arm, denotes his being ever mindful of them." In a sense it is like God tattoos us on His hand. We are always there, and He is constantly looking at us, thinking about us, and caring about us. In his commentary, Barnes says: "Thy walls - The meaning is, that he constantly looked upon them; that he never forgot them. He had a constant and sacred regard for his people, and amidst all their disasters and trials, still remembered them." What a wonderful God we have. To think that He is ever watching us and cares so much for us that even when we are going through trials we are literally in His hand, and we don't have to do anything on our own. He is there, not just walking beside us, but holding us, protecting us, and defending us. What a great God we serve.

*****Jay Cook State Park, Minnesota*****