Engraved in Love: God's Unchanging Commitment to Us

 

Summary

In reflecting on Isaiah 49:16, the profound truth that God has engraved us upon the palms of His hands is a source of immense comfort and assurance. This imagery signifies God's eternal and unchanging commitment to His people. The engraving is not a mere superficial mark but a deep, indelible inscription, symbolizing the permanence and depth of God's love and remembrance. This divine act of engraving is not just about our names but encompasses our entire being—our circumstances, struggles, and needs. It is a testament to God's intimate knowledge and care for each of us, individually and collectively.

The passage challenges us to marvel at the wonder of God's faithfulness despite our frequent doubts and fears. It is astonishing that the Creator of the universe would choose to remember us so intimately and personally. This divine remembrance is constant and practical, ensuring that God's love and power are actively at work in our lives. It is a reminder that no matter the trials we face, we are never forgotten or forsaken by God.

Moreover, this truth calls us to a response of trust and joy. Knowing that we are engraved on God's hands should lead us to cast aside our anxieties and embrace the peace that comes from being securely held in His care. It encourages us to live with confidence and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being so deeply loved by God.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Eternal Commitment: The engraving on God's hands signifies His eternal and unchanging commitment to His people. It is a deep, indelible mark that reflects the permanence and depth of His love and remembrance. This divine act assures us that we are never forgotten or forsaken by God. [09:35]

2. Intimate Knowledge and Care: God's engraving encompasses our entire being—our circumstances, struggles, and needs. It is a testament to His intimate knowledge and care for each of us, individually and collectively. This truth reminds us that God is actively involved in every aspect of our lives. [18:57]

3. Marvel at God's Faithfulness: Despite our frequent doubts and fears, God's faithfulness remains steadfast. The wonder of His commitment to us should inspire awe and gratitude, as it is astonishing that the Creator of the universe would choose to remember us so intimately and personally. [05:54]

4. Response of Trust and Joy: Knowing that we are engraved on God's hands should lead us to cast aside our anxieties and embrace the peace that comes from being securely held in His care. It encourages us to live with confidence and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being so deeply loved by God. [39:03]

5. Practical and Constant Sympathy: God's remembrance is not only constant but also practical. His love and power are actively at work in our lives, ensuring that we are supported and protected. This truth calls us to trust in His provision and to find comfort in His unwavering presence. [29:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to God's Promises
- [00:59] - The Seed of Abraham and the Church
- [02:31] - Analyzing the Text Word by Word
- [03:02] - The Wonder of Being Engraved
- [05:04] - God's Faithfulness vs. Human Doubt
- [07:26] - The Divine Artist
- [09:01] - The Permanence of God's Inscription
- [12:15] - The Antiquity of God's Love
- [14:06] - The Graving at Calvary
- [18:38] - The Fullness of God's Engraving
- [22:50] - The Dual Memorial
- [25:13] - God's Constant Remembrance
- [29:01] - Practical Implications of God's Care
- [36:30] - Consolation in God's Promise
- [38:20] - Our Response to God's Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 49:16

Observation Questions:
1. What does the imagery of being "engraved on the palms of God's hands" signify about God's relationship with His people? [03:02]
2. How does the sermon describe the permanence of God's engraving compared to human actions or creations? [16:09]
3. What is the significance of the word "behold" in the context of this passage and sermon? [03:02]
4. How does the sermon illustrate God's intimate knowledge and care for us through the engraving metaphor? [18:38]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's engraving of us on His hands is a response to human doubt and fear? [05:04]
2. How does the sermon explain the connection between God's eternal commitment and the act of engraving? [09:35]
3. What does the sermon imply about the practical implications of being engraved on God's hands for our daily lives? [29:33]
4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of God's remembrance being both constant and practical? [29:33]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt forgotten or forsaken. How does the assurance of being engraved on God's hands change your perspective on that experience? [36:30]
2. The sermon encourages us to cast aside anxieties. What specific anxieties are you currently holding onto, and how can you actively place them in God's care this week? [39:03]
3. How can the knowledge of God's intimate care for every aspect of your life inspire you to live with more confidence and gratitude? [18:57]
4. Consider a situation where you have doubted God's faithfulness. How can the imagery of being engraved on His hands help you trust Him more deeply in that area? [05:54]
5. The sermon speaks of God's love being actively at work in our lives. Identify one area where you need to see God's active love and power, and pray specifically for that this week. [29:33]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of God's eternal commitment to you, especially during challenging times? [09:35]
7. In what ways can you share the comfort and assurance of God's engraving with someone who might be struggling with feeling forgotten or unloved? [36:30]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Unchanging Commitment
God's eternal commitment to His people is symbolized by the engraving on His hands, a deep and indelible mark that reflects the permanence and depth of His love and remembrance. This divine act assures us that we are never forgotten or forsaken by God. The imagery of being engraved on God's hands is a powerful reminder of His unwavering dedication to us, despite our frequent doubts and fears. It is astonishing that the Creator of the universe would choose to remember us so intimately and personally, ensuring that His love and power are actively at work in our lives. [09:35]

Isaiah 54:10 (ESV): "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of God's unchanging commitment to you, especially during times of doubt and fear?


Day 2: God's Intimate Knowledge and Care
God's engraving encompasses our entire being—our circumstances, struggles, and needs. It is a testament to His intimate knowledge and care for each of us, individually and collectively. This truth reminds us that God is actively involved in every aspect of our lives. His remembrance is not only constant but also practical, ensuring that we are supported and protected. This divine act of engraving is not just about our names but encompasses our entire being, highlighting God's intimate involvement in our lives. [18:57]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."

Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's intimate care in your daily life, and how might this awareness change the way you approach your struggles and needs?


Day 3: Marvel at God's Faithfulness
Despite our frequent doubts and fears, God's faithfulness remains steadfast. The wonder of His commitment to us should inspire awe and gratitude, as it is astonishing that the Creator of the universe would choose to remember us so intimately and personally. This divine remembrance is constant and practical, ensuring that God's love and power are actively at work in our lives. It is a reminder that no matter the trials we face, we are never forgotten or forsaken by God. [05:54]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: What specific instances of God's faithfulness can you recall in your life, and how can you use these memories to inspire gratitude and trust in Him today?


Day 4: Response of Trust and Joy
Knowing that we are engraved on God's hands should lead us to cast aside our anxieties and embrace the peace that comes from being securely held in His care. It encourages us to live with confidence and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being so deeply loved by God. This truth calls us to a response of trust and joy, as we marvel at the wonder of God's faithfulness despite our frequent doubts and fears. [39:03]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific anxiety you can release to God today, and how can you actively embrace His peace in its place?


Day 5: Practical and Constant Sympathy
God's remembrance is not only constant but also practical. His love and power are actively at work in our lives, ensuring that we are supported and protected. This truth calls us to trust in His provision and to find comfort in His unwavering presence. The engraving on God's hands signifies His eternal and unchanging commitment to His people, a deep, indelible mark that reflects the permanence and depth of His love and remembrance. [29:33]

Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV): "He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

Reflection: How can you actively seek and recognize God's practical support and protection in your life today, and how might this recognition influence your trust in His provision?

Quotes



Heaven and Earth May well be astonished that God should ever grave upon his hands the names of Sinners that Rebels should attain so great and nearness to his heart as to be written upon the palms of his hands well might the Angels wander and those bright Spirits be lost in amazement. [00:03:32]

I know not which most to wonder at the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of his people, he keeps his promise a thousand times and yet the next trial makes us doubt him he never faileth he is never a dry well he is never a Setting Sun a passing meteor or a melting vapor. [00:05:20]

The Divine artist who has been pleased to engrave his people for a memorial is none other than God himself here we learn the lesson which Christ afterwards taught his disciples ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you no one can write upon the hand of God but God himself. [00:07:27]

Had it not been there I could not have inscribed it had it not been found in the list no Archangel could by any possibility of inserted it what if my name should be left out when thou for them shalt call is a black thought to any of us but when I know that it is not left out. [00:08:29]

I have Graven thee in I have not merely printed thee stamp thee on the surface but I have permanently cut thee into my hand with marks which never can be removed that word Graven sets forth the perpetuity of the inscription not on the hand of man but on the hand of God is it Craven. [00:15:58]

I have gravened thy person thine image thy case thy circumstances thy sins thy Temptations thy weaknesses thy wants thy works I have Graven thee everything about thee all that concerns thee I have put thee all together there it is not an outline sketch you see it is a full picture. [00:19:47]

Oh Christian remember that by night and by day God is always thinking of you from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year the Lord's eye is upon you according to his precious word I the Lord do keep it I will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day. [00:26:31]

He will work and show himself strong for his people he brings his omnipotent hands to affect our Redemption what would be the use of having a friend who would think of us and then let his love end in thought the faithfulness we want is that of one who will act in our defense. [00:29:03]

There are many strings but they are all in one hand and they all pull one way to draw a weight of glory to the chosen there are many wheels and innumerable cogs and as you and I look about us we cannot understand the Machinery we cry our Wheels what do you work. [00:30:34]

Forget thee I will not I cannot thy name engraved on my heart doth forever Remain the palms of my hands whilst I look on I see the wounds I received when suffering for thee there is no sorrow to which our text is not an antidote if thou be a child of God. [00:36:50]

If Christ remembers thee what more cans thou want the dying thief's extremity could not suggest a prayer larger than Lord remember me and thy greatest sorrow cannot ask for a more complete assuagement than this Lord show me that thou has Graven me upon the palms of thy hands. [00:37:46]

Be glad in thy God and his perfect love does thou not think that Joy becomes a man to whom such a text as this belongs wipe thy brow it is true the sweat stands on it but thy greatest labor is done Christ has finished it for thee. [00:39:58]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?