My friend’s son got a tattoo recently and if I may say so, it is a really nice one. It is from Philippians 4:13:, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As he was contemplating getting the tattoo, my friend reminded him that this tattoo would forever mark him as a follower of Christ for all the world to see. WOW!! That is huge. I am so proud of him for unashamedly proclaiming that it is Jesus Christ who gives him his strength to do this thing called life.
Many people get tattoos these days and as we were in the tattoo shop waiting on him, I looked at the variety of options for tattoos. Good grief!! It is limitless what you can have inscribed on your body. Pictures of everything imaginable and some things that I couldn’t have imagined. Words, numbers, symbols—if it can be drawn or written, it can be put on your body. And I am not even going to talk about how expensive it is to have a tattoo done!! It was an eye opening experience to say the least.
I have a tattoo. In fact, I have more than one tattoo and if you have met me in the past 3 years you have seen them. They are very small and discreet, but they are tattoos nonetheless. Does that change the way you think about me? For some people, the answer is likely ‘yes’.
Did you know that God has tattoos? In Isaiah 49:16 we hear the Lord talk about his tattoos when He says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before me.” Some translations use the word ‘engraved’ in place of inscribed. The prophet Isaiah was perhaps referring to the Jewish custom of that day of ‘puncturing their hands with a symbol of their city and temple, as a sign of devotion.’ (see MacArthur Study Bible study notes on 49:16)
God has something engraved on the palms of His hands that reminds Him of you. What a wonderful thought! You and I are constantly before our God as He looks at His hands. This is a little bit like tying a string around your finger to help you remember something. God engraved some reminder of us on His hand and every time He looks at His hands, He remembers the ones for whom He gave His precious Son’s life.
I don’t know about you but it makes me feel very loved and very secure to know that my Lord is constantly thinking about me. He has my best interests at heart and He never forgets me. How could He? His Son gave His life for me. Even when we feel lonely and forgotten by others on this earth, our Heavenly Father is thinking about us with love and devotion. Jesus has only to look at his nail scarred hands to be reminded how much He cares for us.
By the way, my tattoos are actually permanent makeup. Look closely at my eyeliner and eyebrows the next time you meet me and you will my tattoos.
