Devotionals – Wheeler_2 Jierette Genetia (ICCS)

Devotionals – Wheeler_2 Jierette Genetia (ICCS)

(This devotional was written by one of our incarcerated students, sharing their faith and study of God’s Word.)

Forgotten

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
—- Isaiah 49: 15-16

Have you ever felt forgotten? We can all say that we have felt that way before. Even now we can say that because of where we are at, sitting in prison. Israel had been invaded by Babylon due to their continuous rebellion toward God. God had sent prophets to tell them to repent, to turn back to the One True God or this would happen. God in His amazing grace and mercy gave them many warnings. He gave them many chances to repent of their evil ways. How many times did God do that for us? But God has to allow His children to suffer the consequences for their actions to get their attention.

In verse fourteen, the people of Israel felt like God had forsaken them in their captivity. How many times have we felt that same thing in our captivity? Isaiah gave the people of Israel and us too a promise to hold onto. A promise that even if or even when our families, our friends, or the world forget about us, that God never does. The Holy Spirit gave Isaiah the word “engraved” to Isaiah to show the impact of what God wanted us to see. The word “engraved” means “to cut figures.” When you cut something it becomes permanent. This promise is just one of the many reminders that God loves us beyond logical reasoning. God showed this type of love all the way through the Old Testament, leading up to the ultimate display of His love through His Son Jesus. When you are struggling with feeling like your forgotten, just look toward the Cross and see the scars that were engraved just for you.

Father, thank you for Your promise that I am never forgotten, no matter where this life take me. In Jesus name. Amen

Jessica W.