Read: Isaiah 49:14-18
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (v. 16)
After I told a friend that Words of Hope had agreed to publish my autobiography, she immediately said that she wanted a signed copy. Knowing my disability makes it difficult for me to write my name, she bought me a stamp. To get a stamp of my signature, I had to write my name and send it to a company. I finally wrote a signature that I was happy with, but when I removed the paper, I realized I pressed so hard that I carved my name into the dining room table!
Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God says that he has carved or engraved the names of his people in the palms of his hands. This was great news for the Israelites who were far from their homeland and must have thought God had abandoned them. The Almighty had not forgotten them, he had engraved them into his palms. We are so important to our heavenly Father that our names are also etched into his hands. Whenever he looks at his palms he sees our names and thinks about us with love and care.
I accidentally carved my name into the table, but God intentionally chiseled our names into his body. He cares for us so much that he allowed the soldiers to engrave nail marks in his Son’s hands and feet as they crucified him, proving that we are carved into his heart. —Steven Laman
As you pray, thank God he has engraved you in the palms of his hands.
About the Author
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
