Their situation was drastically different, but the sentiment is relatable.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”

(Isaiah 49:14 ESV)

Judged for her rebellion? Yes. Overrun because of her spiritual adultery? Yes. Exiled in order to soften her hard heart and to subdue her stiff neck? Yes. But was Zion, the epicenter representing God’s people, forsaken? Was she forgotten? No sir.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”

(Isaiah 49:15-16 ESV)

Though a result of their own rebellion and spiritual unfaithfulness, the years leading up to Judah’s exile must have been, nevertheless, unimaginably hard years. Relentless assaults by enemies. Continual erosion of infrastructure. Perpetual impact on day to day living. Same old trials with little light at the end of the tunnel. I’m guessing “wearying” and “exhausting” might describe those days. What else could go wrong? How much harder could it get? How long, O Lord? Are you there, God?

Like I said, while I can’t relate to ancient Israel’s situation, I can relate somewhat to the sentiment. I can connect with a dreary, weary season that never seems to end. God, are You there? Have you forgotten your people?

I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

Looks like there’s much speculation as to what Isaiah literally was referring to with “engraved palms”, but you get the idea. God’s not going to forget His people. They are not at risk of being some passing thought. Instead, they are indelibly etched into His very being. Not some experiment gone bad to be tossed so that He can start over again, but an expression of His unconditional love, His unwavering faithfulness, and His unmatched power to deliver on the promises He has purposed.

I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

If not intended as a foreshadow of the palms of Christ, how can it not spark such a connection? The Lamb bearing for eternity the wounds of His once forever act of redemption (Rev. 5:6). The wounds of nail-pierced hands a forever reminder that those He saves, He saves to the uttermost. Those He redeems He redeems for eternity. Those in whom He begins a good work, He completes that good work. Times may get tough, the heavens may seem to go silent for season, but has God forgotten His people?

I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

Engraved on the palms of His hands. Ever near to the heart of God. Confident that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

All because of His amazing grace. All for His everlasting glory.