Permanent Love – The Presidential Prayer Team

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. – Isaiah 49:16

It is mysterious how the Lord knits each person together in their mother’s womb… they are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). It is even more of a wonder that He loves and cares for each individual even when humanity is marred by sin.

As Isaiah recounted to them, the people of Israel had been chosen by God. Abraham was called to become a great nation… one that would bring the blessing of knowing the true God to the whole world (Genesis 12:1-3). However, the light of God was hidden from the Gentile world for a time because of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Rather than being grateful for all His goodness, Israel rebelled and literally despised the One who had reared and brought them up (Isaiah 1:1-4).

And yet the Lord has never forsaken His chosen people. Isaiah’s prophecy of a Savior to come was always God’s plan. His love for the world has never dwindled. In fact, today’s verse emphasizes the permanence of that love: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Although the Lord was speaking to Israel, He was also speaking of all His children to come. That being the case, know that you – not just your name, but your whole being – is engraved on the palms of God’s hands. He knew you before you were born. He knows you now.

Be faithful to the Lord. Take time to study His Word. Be fervent in prayer. Lift your hands in praise for His daily blessings. Then plead for this nation, that its people would see the light of God and His blessings to this nation. Oh, that all would praise the Lord!

Today’s Verse: Isaiah 49:16

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are continually before me.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 139:13-18

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you.