By: Pastor Johnie Akers
Isaiah 49:15, 16, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” A friend proudly showed me his new tattoo with the name of his dearly beloved girlfriend. He asked me what I thought. I responded, “Impressive. I’m glad you all love each other as much as you do. I hope your love for one another is as eternal as that tattoo, otherwise you’re going to have a hard time explaining that to the next one.” While I wish them both much happiness, and hope their relationship continues in a lifetime of marriage, the greater spiritual lesson cannot be overlooked. Permanence in a relationship is a great commodity. God’s perspective in regard to His children is reflected in our Scripture lesson today. The question of whether or not God would ever forget His people is answered poignantly. In essence, God not only reminded them that He could no more forget them than a mother could forget her nursing newborn, but that they were engraved on His hands. In today’s vernacular, we can relate that to having them tattooed on His hands. The markings are permanent. To rid Himself of His people, would require a tremendous amount of explanation to the next group that He would covenant Himself with. God does not cast away His people. His covenant is immutable. In earthly relationships, the one who says they love us today, may not hold that same view tomorrow. People are fickle. Many daisy petal rituals end with, “He loves me not.” At the cross, God the Father cut an immutable covenant with His Son. We are partakers of that eternal covenant when we are “in Christ.” Will God ever not love Christ Jesus? No. Then by virtue of us being in Him, our Father will never stop loving us. This assurance is one that we need never question, but it is an everlasting reminder of His unfailing commitment to His covenant, with each new day.
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