I Have Inscribed You On The Palms Of My Hands

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." (1)

The strongest love known to mankind is the love of a mother for her children, and this love Isaiah uses to illustrate the love of God for His "creation", His children.

Jesus tenderly loves His family. He is referred to in scripture as the "good Shepherd." He says of Himself, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (2)

"As the shepherd leads his flock over the rocky hills, through forest and wild ravines, to grassy nooks by the riverside; as he watches them on the mountains through the lonely night, shielding from robbers, caring tenderly for the sickly and feeble, his life comes to be one with theirs. A strong and tender attachment unites him to the objects of his care. However large the flock, the shepherd knows every sheep. Every one has its name, and responds to the name at the shepherd's call.

"As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His flock that are scattered throughout the world. 'You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,' says the Lord God." (3) Jesus says, 'I have called you by your name, you are Mine.' (4) 'I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." (5)...

"Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men to Himself. He bids them, 'Follow Me,' and His Spirit moves on their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand']. (6) He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth." (7)

1. Isaiah 49:15, 16.
2. John 10:11.
3. Ezekiel 34:31.
4. Isaiah 43:1.
5. Isaiah 49:16.
6. John 10:27, 28.
7. Desire of Ages, pp. 479, 480.