Have you wondered why tattoos are permanent? According to Ted.com, tattoos become permanent because the artist takes a tattooing machine equipped with needles which puncture through the outer layer of skin and deposit ink into the dermis. Over time, the outer layer is replaced with new skin but the ink has become trapped underneath with no way to dispose of them. As a result, this ink remains visible. You might ask, what does that have to do with 21 days of gratitude?
“14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “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. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” ISAIAH 49:14-16 ESV
In our focus passage, we learn why God can never forget you. In a similar way to a tattoo becoming permanent on the body, God has been branded with a mark that is a constant reminder of you and I. In this case, you are more than a tattoo. He literally engraved you onto the palm of His hands. You are not something that can be wiped away or forgotten about it. He is and will forever be reminded of the covenant He made with you.
I suggest this mark is the scars from the nails he endured while hanging on the cross. If you remember, when Thomas doubted, Jesus pointed to the scars on his hands and feet. This ‘sign’ demonstrated the authenticity of who Christ was. He was the real deal. He wasn’t a fake. He wasn’t someone acting like Jesus. The proof was in the mark.
In the same way, when we face difficult times and things aren’t working out like we had hoped or life doesn’t make sense, God will point to His mark and say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you - you are forever part of me.”
This divine tattoo or heavenly brand is a forever reminder of His covenant to you. He will work everything together for your good. He will finish what He started. He will be faithful and true. There is nothing that can separate you from His love because you are now part of Him.
More than a tattoo and more like a brand, this mark was made from a deep wounding which solidified His commitment to you, a relentless, reckless love that pursues you.
Remember Paul says to Timothy, “Even when you are faithless, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
Today, remember that He can’t forget you.
He can’t forget you because you have been engraved onto His hands. Love suffers long. Love endures pain. Love wins with wounds. You are more than God’s Tattoo. You are the mark of His love.
His pain bought your healing.
His death secured your life.
His loss insured your win.
Every time you see a tattoo let it remind you that you that God can't forget about you!
Comments