Isaiah 49:8-16a (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 49:8-16a on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; Verse 9saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; Verse 10they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. Verse 11And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. Verse 12Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.
Verse 13Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Verse 14But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me." Verse 15Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Verse 16See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
Devotion
Famous psychologist Erik Erikson said infants develop trust or mistrust. An infant whose caregivers consistently nurture them develops trust. Unfortunately, sometimes caregivers do not or, perhaps due to poverty, cannot provide for their infant's needs. Then, the infant may become distrustful and even fail to thrive.
When Zion lamented that God had forgotten them, God acknowledged that a mother could forget her nursing infant. However, the Lord assured Zion they could trust God would never forgot them. This was impossible because God inscribed Zion on the palms of God's very self. The Lord promised they would thrive again.
God's palms are large enough to hold everyone's inscription. God's infinite, abiding love and nurturing are great enough for all to thrive. As the hands that do God's work, who are inscribed on our palms? Can we be trusted to provide consistently? Whom should we never forget to love, nurture and serve?
Prayer
Nurturing God, thank you for inscribing us on your palms and, thereby, insuring that you can never forget us. Inscribe on our palms, hearts and minds all of your children. Help us be the willing hands that do your work and help provide enough for all to thrive. Amen.