Engraved By Sharon Musgrove #Devotional

 

“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands....” Isaiah 49:16a (ESV)

There’s a scar on my right wrist. I remember the day I got it. I had just graduated from college

and my parents gifted me a used, 1982, bright yellow Toyota Starlet. I was washing the new-to-

me-car for the first time when I discovered the radio antennae was broken. Without knowing

the receptor had been severed along the driver’s side of the windshield, I ran the soapy sponge

down the front window from the rooftop. That jagged metal punctured my arm, making its

presence known.

Its not the only scar I have that I can identify the exact details of its inception. Those painful

incidents don’t just leave behind toughened tissue, but they can leave a memory permanently

engraved on your mind.

Isaiah chapter 49 has a scar to show and a powerful reminder of God’s love for us.

The author Isaiah reveals, in his Old Testament book, feelings of discouragement. He writes:

“I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity.” -Isaiah 49:4 (ESV)

Now, Isaiah was an amazing prophet. His words were quoted or alluded to repeatedly by Jesus

and his disciples in the New Testament. It was often Isaiah’s words that were used to prove the

legitimacy of the Messiah. But, apparently, at the time, this servant of God felt like his words

were not making a difference.

Have you ever felt like Isaiah? Believing your obedience to God was futile? I totally relate!

But God doesn’t leave Isaiah in the pit of stinkin’ thinkin’. God responds with a generosity that

puts me in tears every time I look at it. God shows Isaiah, in true prophetic style, the hands of

Jesus.

Nail scarred hands.

And gently God speaks:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her

womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the

palms of my hands.” -Isaiah 49:15-16a (ESV)

The timeless wonder of our Savior reveals the truth of who He is and what He’s done. Before,

during and after the event marked on a calendar. Jesus went to the grave for us! And, just as

Jesus revealed his wounds to Thomas to squelch the disciple’s disbelief (John 20:24-29), he also

did so to Isaiah...and, thankfully, to us also.

God cannot and does not forget the scars He bears, and the events that created that scenario.

If I still fondly remember that pitiful, hatchback that bit me in the arm while I was washing it,

God certainly lovingly remembers the details of those He chose to die for.

Isaiah might have become the most well recited prophet in Biblical history because he

remained faithful to his calling.

If you find yourself in a cycle of despairing thoughts and wonder if God even cares about your

efforts, be encouraged today! Jesus has you engraved into His being. He’s not capable of

forgetting you. The memories of saving His children for His kingdom are permanently

preserved. And your obedience to Him has not gone unrewarded.

Author Bio:

 

Sharon has been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and devotionals since 2007.    

 

She has had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community.

 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young women.

 

Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

 

Sharon and her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children. 

 

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry. 

 

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Connect with Sharon:

Website: Sharonmusgrove.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/