"I Have Written Your Name On The Palms Of My Hands"

I have often heard it said that the God of the Old Testament was this mean angry God, whereas the God of the New Testament is this loving and compassionate God. I find this to be a gross mis-characterization and slander of the awesomely wonderful person of God, who has always in all ways acted in the most unquestionably honorable manner in all situations. My own personal bible reading has often left me with the idea of the OT God displaying great compassion and undeserved favor. Throughout the OT, we see the long-suffering of God to His embarrassingly wayward people, in ways that can humble me at His great perfect goodness and kindness.

Here are two of my favorite passages from the OT that how the unmatched care of God for us.

Isaiah 42
1“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”

How caring and compassionate is this God toward us!!! Not even a brusied reed will He break!!!

Here is great love for His people in these verses as well!

Isaiah 49:14Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

15“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.
17Soon your descendants will come back,
and all who are trying to destroy you will go away.
18Look around you and see,
for all your children will come back to you.
As surely as I live,” says the Lord,
“they will be like jewels or bridal ornaments for you to display.

My Lord and My God! I praise you!! I praise you! I thank you!!

This song is called "Ha-Tish-Kach." It is by the group "Lamb," who are Messianic Jews. They are singing, in both Hebrew and English, Isaiah 49:15-16. Listen and be blessed.