Friday, November 08, 2002

 Dear Family:

 It seems as though there have been an unusual number of trials and pains among some of you recently. Many times when we experience these periods in our life we tend to think that The Lord has forsaken and forgotten us. I can tell you that is not the case. Many times we let our time with him become second place. We tend to become too busy and prioritize him out of our busy schedules. We tend to fail to honestly and sincerely seek his presence when things are going smoothly and then wonder why we begin to have trials and turbulence in our lives. Could it be that we have just drifted away from his protection? Could it be that we fail to let him control our circumstances? We do have that choice you know. Today as I think on the verses in Isaiah, I can hardly sit in my chair. These verses make me want to jump, shout and sing for joy.

 Isa 49:14-16

14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.(NIV)

 There is much significance in the word, Zion. In the Old Testament the word is used of the mountain where God met with Moses. It referred to the dwelling place of God and the Children of Israel. In the New Testament, Zion (Sion) has always referred to the church, the body of believers and God's dwelling place in their hearts.  

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (KJV)

 Isaiah is saying the people of God are feeling forgotten. The church (Christians) are also feeling abandoned by God. On 9/11 many felt this way. With a tremendous out- pouring of his love, He showed the world that he had not forgotten his people.

 "Though she may forget, I will not forget you." We may forget him but he never forgets us. God always has us on his mind and in his thoughts. This has to be one of the most thrilling statements I have seen. John 1:12 and 3:16 are the most wonderful verses in the bible and John 17:20-26 has to bring tremendous comfort and joy. These words are equally awesome. Not only does God not forget, He has engraved you on the palms of his hands. Notice he did not engrave your image on his hand, he actually engraved you.  Think about this! He engraved YOU, that is, the intimate individual, personal and private you that the people around you never see or know. This is the you that only you and he know and share, just between the two of you. It is that you which when our earthly bodies cease to have life continues to live on forever in His presence. Notice that he engraved you on both hands; not one, but both. And, in the palm where he can see you, breathe on you, hold you firmly and caress you with the strength of his love. Stop for a moment and just close your eyes and speak to him. Hold you palms close to your heart and feel his love for you. Feel yourself being caressed in God's hands to give you the inner peace and comfort you need this day. Kind of gives new meaning to, "God loves me" doesn't it?

 If God loved us so much that not only would he come to earth to experience our life, die on a cross for our sins, descend into hell to overcome death and the grave but also engrave us on the palms of BOTH hands, doesn't it seem that he should have a place of priority in our daily lives? Doesn't it seem that we should be constantly talking to him and thanking him for loving us so much? I think so.  Notice also that he says, "Your walls are ever before me." What does this mean?  Walls are a symbol of protection. Here he is saying our protection is always before him. He is always seeking to protect us and shelter us. Doesn't it just make good sense that we should give him a priority place in our hearts and lives? Shouldn't we seek his face first daily and thank him for keeping us in his hands?

 Love ya,

 Dad, Dad2, Mr. T and Chuck