God Inscribes Our Name

I saw a friend write a phone number of someone on the palm of her hand. I’ve seen others write their grocery list on their hand. And, I remember when I was a kid in school, seeing some “cheaters” write the answers to test questions on the palms of their hands.

I’ve been a fan of Max Lucado’s writings for years because he writes with a style that awakens my thought processes. Every time I read one of his books or writings, I have an “aha” moment. So now that I’ve built my case for Max Lucado and his God-given anointing to pen God’s heart for us to know Him better, I want to “gift” you with the following inspiring words from his book, “When God Whispers Your Name” to tell you how much God loves you:

“When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.” When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And He will never forget it. God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s hand. My name on God’s hand…how could it be?”
— Max Lucado

When I was in Frisco a couple of weeks ago, my cousin kept referring to the girl friends she had when she was in high school and college. They are still friends and often talk on the phone and even meet up even though they are miles apart.

I pondered. Why didn’t I have girl friends like that – besties, friends to laugh and talk about girl stuff together? Oh, but then I was reminded that I didn’t have girlfriends because my best friend was a boy.

Yes, in the 7th grade, I fell for a boy named Ronnie Wuerch. I wrote his name on my books, my folders, and even in the palm of my hand. It meant I was thinking about him all the time.

But, I’ve grown way past those days, because I know my name is written on the palm of God’s hand. Isaiah 49:15-16, God tenderly says, “I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my Hands.”

Wow! Inscribed. God didn’t use a #2 pencil with a pink eraser so that He can wipe us away when we displease Him. He didn’t use a Sharpie permanent marker that can eventually wear off. Being inscribed is permanent. The word used in the Bible means “to carve.”

Once we become a child of God our name is there and it will never go away. No matter how many times we mess up. No matter how much we falter in our faith. No matter how often we choose our will over His. Permanent is forever.

When God engraves us in the palm of His hands, there is absolutely nothing that can undo it. His tender love and mercy are always being extended and His love toward us never changes. His love is not based on how he feels about us in that moment. He doesn’t love us any less right now than He did yesterday.

David wrote in Psalm 13:5, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” We can trust in God’s love for us – at all times. He is in love with us. He’s thinking about us all the time. We are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Yes, that, my friends, is TRUE LOVE that EVER-LASTS!