Isaiah 49:16 – “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

From the message on Sunday … the most striking imagery of Christ’s love for us was presented through this verse. His having us “engraved on the palms of His hands” is literally true when you remember the scars that He bears in His hands for us – scars from the cross that will last for all eternity. He will never ever forget us or abandon us, and these scars are the proof. I am humbled and overwhelmed at this undeserved love. It reminds me of the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North … a song which always brings a lump to my throat for the love it portrays of our Savior:

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world’s sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Further, I am amazed by this thought as well: Through the obedience of Christ, I was rescued. He obeyed when I could not obey – and it is this obedience that continues to cover all my failures. This is so encouraging to me when I get frustrated by trying time and again to “do it right” and failing – Christ obeyed in the ultimate way by going to the cross and taking our sin upon Him, and it is this strength that I must rely on, not my own. I WILL constantly fail, but when I put my hope in my Savior and not myself, He will strengthen me and carry me through. His suffering obedience brings me triumphant joy.

Love so amazing, so divine … I do not deserve it in the least … but may these humble lips ever bring praise to my King who holds me forever with his scarred hands.