Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. I trust that the Lord has kept you in His grace and peace. Today, we are gathered here in the house of our Lord to reflect, to learn, and to grow in our faith. We are here to open our hearts and minds to the divine words of our Heavenly Father.

We are turning our attention to the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 49:15-19. A passage that speaks to the depth of God's love, His unfailing presence, and His never-ending care. Let me read it for you:

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Your children hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you. Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride. Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away."

Isn't it comforting to know how deeply we are loved by our Creator? That he would engrave us on the palms of His hands? That He is always with us, watching over us, caring for us?

Divine Devotion Displayed

In the passage we read from Isaiah, we see a vivid illustration of God's deep and enduring love for us. The prophet Isaiah uses the image of a mother and her child to help us understand the extent of God's devotion. It's a powerful image, isn't it? A mother's love for her child is one of the strongest bonds we know in human experience. Yet, God's love for us is even stronger, even more enduring.

Compared to a mother: The prophet tells us that even if a mother could forget her child, God will never forget us. This is a profound statement about God's character and His relationship with us. It's a reminder that God's love is not like human love. It doesn't change or fade with time. It doesn't depend on our actions or our worthiness. God's love is constant, unchanging, and unconditional.

This is a love that is active and involved: It's not a distant, detached love. It's a love that is deeply invested in our lives. Isaiah tells us that God has engraved us on the palms of His hands. This is a powerful image of God's commitment to us. It's a reminder that we are always in God's thoughts, always in His care.

A picture of God's intimate knowledge of us: He knows us completely, inside and out. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses, our joys and our sorrows, our successes and our failures. And yet, He loves us just the same. His love is not based on what we do or who we are. It's based on who He is.

Who is He?: He is a God who is faithful and true. He is a God who keeps His promises. He is a God who is always there for us, no matter what. Isaiah tells us that our walls are ever before Him. This is a reminder of God's constant presence in our lives. He is always watching over us, always protecting us, always guiding us. This is a love that is not just for us, but for all people. Isaiah tells us that our children hasten back, and those who laid us waste depart from us. This is a picture of God's redemptive love. It's a love that seeks to restore and renew. It's a love that brings healing and hope.

This is a love that is for the future: Isaiah tells us that we will wear our children as ornaments, like a bride. This is a picture of God's eternal love. It's a love that looks forward to a future of joy and celebration. It's a love that promises a future of blessing and abundance.

Dependence on God's Unfailing Presence

As we continue to reflect on the words of Isaiah, we are drawn to the image of God's unfailing presence ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO