Jump Start # 1725

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.”

  Our verse today is one of many passages found throughout the Bible that describes the intimacy and closeness that God has for His people. God has a deep feeling for His people. He longs for us to be with Him. He desires the best for us. He never gives up on us. His patience, especially when we ignore and are rebellious toward Him, continues to give us chance after chance to return home to Him.

Here in Isaiah, there are two back to back passages that define this intimacy with God.

The first is a picture of a nursing mother. She is not going to forget her child. She will never forget her child. Get a group of people together, and a child will call out, “Mom,” and that mom recognizes her child’s voice. She knows. She not only recognizes the voice of her child, she knows how her child is wired on the inside. She understands her child.

We have a new granddaughter that was born Friday night. I got back from a trip just in time. It is amazing to watch my daughter look at her new daughter. There is a special look that is only found in the eyes of a mother. And I have seen the most dainty moms get furious if you mess with her child. The mama bear comes out!

In a contrasting and ironic statement, God is telling Israel that I will not forget you, even though you have forgotten Me. I remember my promises to you, even though you don’t keep your promises with Me. I have been good to you even though you have been rotten towards Me.

The next verse continues this thought, “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands”. The image presents God as trying to prove to Israel that He cares for them. Not only will He not forget them, but He opens up His hand and there we see Israel’s name, written on God’s hand. I remember girls in school writing the name of a boy that they liked on their hands. God is showing Israel how much He cares, loves and longs for them.

What is interesting is the opposite side of this relationship, our intimacy with God. That sounds odd to some. We believe in God. We follow God. We trust God. We love God. But to say, “intimate,” that’s going to far, some think. Yet, how many of our hymns reflect that idea. Song such as, “Nearer, still nearer,” or, “As a deer,” or, “Draw me nearer, nearer.” Close to God. To know God, more than academically. To want to be with God. This is Paul’s thoughts in 2 Corinthians 5, as he paints this dilemma of being here in this earthly tent, but wanting to be with God. Paul longed to be with God. He told the Philippians that to die is “gain.” It was considered an advantage.

Intimacy can carry the idea of being morally impure. It can sound sexual and wrong in some contexts. But that’s not the only  definition of intimacy. It means closeness. It’s going beyond just knowing a person’s name, it is knowing the person.

A parent is intimate with their child. They know their child.

Friends are intimate with each other. They understand each other.

Teammates, army buddies share a closeness and an understanding with one another.

Brethren ought to share a closeness, a fellowship with one another.

Sometimes, nothing has to be said. It’s just the look on the face. It’s the tone of the voice. Most wouldn’t recognize anything, but the close and intimate person does. They detect that something is not right. They can tell when you are tired. They know when you are upset even before you say anything. That’s intimacy. That’s how God knows you. He knows you in many ways, better than you know yourself. He understands you.

Our relationship with God is far beyond sitting in a pew on Sunday morning. It is hard for us to fathom that God is always thinking about us. God is always doing things for us. God is always there for us. He continues to bless us. He continues to listen to us. He continues to watch over us. Jesus is the good shepherd who knows His sheep.

What is more amazing is that God thinks about us more than we think about Him.

Blessed be our God. We are in good hands. He loves you and wants you to glorify Him this day.

Roger