PRAYER + PRAISE
God Knows Our Ways
- Sarah Upham // July 7, 2009
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. —Isaiah 49:16
He’s got the whole world in His hands…literally! The wise prophet, Isaiah, reminds us that God sees us exactly as we are. He sees everything and knows everything about us. There is no wiggle room, no hiding place. We are who we are, and we are continuously in God’s sight.
He sees our hurts, anxieties, wants and needs. There is no pulling ‘a fast one’ on God – He sees our very hearts. Though it may seem unreal that an all powerful being would pay so much attention to us, mere mortals ever-so imperfect, it is in the character and nature of our loving God to have us so near to Him. Isaiah says we are “inscribed” on God’s hands. How amazing is that!?! Just as we write words on our hands so that we won’t forget something later, God places us on His hand to be forever mindful of us.
As things seem to spiral out of control in our lives, whether it be a lost job, a serious illness that strikes us, or a minor interruption or major calamity that frightens us to our core, sometimes the emotions take over and it’s easy to feel alone. But, Isaiah tells us that isn’t so. Though we may drift and wander, God is always there, always has us in His heart.
No matter what horrible thing we are suffering or even in a joyous moment we’re experiencing, God is holding us close. There are no dead ends with Him. Challenges may creep up and cause us to squirm, but His grip just gets tighter.
May we then draw as near to Him as He seeks to draw as near to us, and realize that through His attention to us, we are sure to press through all that life has to offer.
Praise: That God loves us so much that He inscribed us on His hands, His very palms. Thanks to God for having unlimited and undying compassion and affection for us, even when we seem far away.
Prayer: That we can stop squirming long enough to rejoice in the hope and glory of God, that we are willing to settle into His hands and experience God’s comfort and peace wholeheartedly.
Prayer for Today: Dear Father, O Lord, thank you for today as every day. Thank you for loving us even when we’re unlovable to others, for watching over us always even when we try to put up our walls. Thank you for holding us in Your hands, inscribing us into Your palms, and being there for us through everything this world throws our way. May we welcome Your sweet embrace and find hope in Your love. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.