A week before my twentieth birthday, I was startled out of my stressful study stupor when friends and even strangers on my college campus began greeting me with, “Happy early birthday! I hear your big 2-0 is coming up!” I was utterly perplexed. How did they know? Then on my birthday evening, there was a massive surprise party. Turns out my college roommate had posted signs saying, “Shh, it’s Ginny’s twentieth. Let’s celebrate.” I couldn’t see the signs because I’m blind, so I had no idea this was happening. What a delightful week being the beneficiary of all those unexpected warm greetings, and what a fabulous moment it was to discover the glorious, hidden plans.
The verses in today’s reading remind us that even when we can’t see it, we are the recipients of God’s great love. His vision for us is far greater than anything we can imagine. We never quite know what He is up to, but we can always know His plan involves bringing us closer to Him. Even when we feel He is distant or silent, or when He is wisely disciplining or pruning us, He is actually quite present.
Israel chased other gods for so long that the true God who loved them finally disciplined them by exiling them from their promised land. But even as He disciplined them, He talked to them about their present hope and bright future. God knew they believed He had abandoned them (Isaiah 49:14), but He promised it was quite the opposite. He remembered them more than a nursing mother remembers her child (v.15), writing them on the palms of His hands (v.16). So when they felt forgotten, the Lord instructed Israel to sing for joy, praise Him, ask for salvation, and watch for what He would do (Jeremiah 31:7–8). He said that as their Father and Shepherd, He would guide them into better days, and He declared them ransomed and redeemed from the power of the enemy (Jeremiah 31:9–11).
If this is how God remembered the children of Israel, a family we are grafted into as followers of Christ, then He also remembers each and every one who is in Christ. As a practice of remembrance, we are invited to call on Him to continue to remember us.
God assured Israel they were written on his palms; engraved on Jesus’s hands forever is the evidence of the nails tethering Him to the cross where He paid for your sin and mine. So when we feel forgotten, let’s remember what Jesus did for us, making us a people for His own possession.
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48 thoughts on "God, Remember Your People"
This is very powerful. It reminds me that even though I feel ignored, I’m not. He always remembers me and He is always on my side.
God, remember me. Show me that I am not forgotten. Amen
Jill, I am praying for you this morning. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably.
Prayer request- I didn’t know the words for it today but after reading the devotional that’s how I feel “ forgotten.”
All my friends are married and on their 3rd kid and I’m still mid 30’s and single and I just feel forgotten by God.
I will never forget ,many years ago I found this verse, probably not the 1st time but it just hit me so hard, Isaiah.49.16. It became one of my favorite verses and is to this day. He loved Israel and us, His body so much that the nail marks from the cross are always there, a constant reminder of us for Him. What a Savior!
It is so amazing to know He said that as our Father and Shepherd, He would guide them into better days, and He declared them ransomed and redeemed from the power of the enemy (Jeremiah 31:9–11). It also comforting when we feel forgotten, let’s remember what Jesus did for us, making us a people for His own possession.
“”See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.“
Isaiah 49:16 NIV
I love the permanence of the word “engraved.” When I was growing up, my mom used to engrave my name on all my pencils at the beginning of the school year. For some reason, she had her on engraving tool. (One of those overachiever moms, I guess – LOL!)
All these years later, I’m a teacher and am constantly labeling pencils for my students. I use a permanent marker, but ironically, their names always fade eventually. Unlike the not-so-permanent marker, my mom’s engraving did not fade or go away. All year long, as I used those pencils, my mom’s careful etching of my name was there, permanently.
This memory helps me to understand and appreciate the permanence of God’s love and care for His people. He has engraved me on the palm of His hands, never to be forgotten. ❤️
Julia C I hope that I not too late. My prayer request is for relief of sciatic pain. Thank you❤️
Wow. This is so good! We have so much to claim from these scriptures as children of God! I’ve gone through and read your requests and prayed over them. I’m so grateful to have this community to pray with and share with!
I am headed off to work my night shift. Happy Monday Sisters!
Lifting all of your requests up in prayer to our loving, compassionate, Father, who knows all things and who has your name inscribed on His hand.
Tina, shake those hips, we’re all on the dance floor with you. I just finished listening to an audiobook by Brant Hansen called “Life is Hard, God is Good, let’s Dance. It’s definitely worth a read/listen. I enjoyed the audiobook because the author is reading it and he’s got quite the sense of dry humour.
Be blessed this week
I typed a long reply to everyone’s requests today. When I tried to post it, I got a message saying it is a repeat comment. But I don’t see it anywhere. In case you can’t see it either, please know that I have prayed and will continue praying for each of your requests.
Jeremiah 31:7-14 gave me some peace. I had some peace and then last night I started worrying again about my eye. I know I need to give it to the Lord. I’m just frightened of what they might find. I’m so tired of health issues. My stomach is in knots. I need to give this to God, I’m just afraid of the path I may be put on.
THERESA – oh my, poor Arlo! I am praying for relief from the discomfort caused by these additional stitches, and for the upcoming surgery to be successful, followed by complete recovery. And Prase God for providing the exact funding you need for the copay for the surgery. His answers to prayer are so beautiful.
ALEIDA – Victor continues to be in my prayers. May he be drawn back to God.
LINDA IN NC – I’m praying for you sister’s surgery, that it is successful in repairing her mitral valve and that she makes a full recovery. I’m praying God will give you peace from not being able to be with her, and the strength you need as you continue to care for your husband.
ADRIENNE – so thankful God brought renewal to you through these verses. Praying they continue to uplift you and bring peace.
SARAH – praying for your coworker’s 13-year old daughter, that God will guide her doctors to make the decision that will bring healing, and that the surgery is successful in removing this cyst, and brings healing to this little girl. Praying for strength and peace to her mother as she walks this road with her daughter.
MIAFAITH – my heart hurts for you in the loss of your son. I pray God brings peace and comfort to your heart. I’m also praying for your other son’s house to sell, and for a contract to come through today.
ALL MY SRT SISTERS WHO ARE CAREGIVERS- I’m praying for God’s strength, and for His comfort as you care for your loved ones. You are angels who are the hands of Jesus every day. One of my most-used verses is Zechariah 4:6 … “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” I pray you feel His Spirit lifting you today as you provide loving care.
KAREN Y – thank you so much for sharing the song, “Faithful Still.” It truly spoke to my heart, and just might be on a continuous repeat all day long! I had not heard of Kings Porch, but I’ve been listening to their other songs, and I have found a new favorite group.
@SARAH – glad you’re here! Praying for that sweet 13 year old for healing. Happy Monday ladies! Really hoping the app gets fixed this week!
I needed this reading today, to be reminded that I am inscribed in the palms of God. He cannot forget me. Sometimes, I “feel” so alone and fear that since I can’t “feel” Him, He isn’t really here. I know this is a lie. I know Satan is shooting arrows of doubt at me, and all too often, my defenses are down so those arrows find their mark. Today’s Scripture and devotion spoke deeply to my heart, reminding me that faith is about believing, even though I can’t see, even though I can’t feel. Thank You, Lord, for the reminder that You are always here, and You will never forget me or leave me. Amen.
@ Sarah, so glad you joined us this morning. We will definitely be praying for your coworker’s 13-year-old and that things will go smoothly for this little sweetness.
@Linda IN NC praying for your youngest sister right now. Praying for the doctors hands that they would be very gentle careful with her.
@ Theresa, not only praying for the healing of Arlo, but rejoicing with you how our Jehovah Jireh, our provider, provided for the procedure! God is so good!
Not only are we remembered- we are REDEEMED!! Amen and thank you Jesus!
@Tina praise him with those hips!!
@Teresa thank you for sharing your story- while awful and unfortunate God still shines and thanks to you sharing we all can believe He will do it for us too!
Lifting up all the other prayer requests today! ☮️❤️ Sisters- Happy Monday!!
Miafaith, praying right now for you. I’m so sorry about your son. Please know us mommas feel your heart. AND praying for your other son’s home to sell today. Know that you and your family is covered in prayer.
God sees our every need – He sees, He knows, He is there. You are loved and not forgotten.
God ransomed and redeemed us, Praise His name!
@Aleida – continued prayers for your son Victor. What a day of rejoicing it will be when our wayward sons and daughters return to Jesus!
@Theresa – continued prayers for Arlo. Praise God for answered prayer!! I was praying this weekend that He would provide all the money needed for the procedure, that insurance doesn’t pay – Thank you, thank you God for your provision – to the dollar!!
@Sarah – praying for your co-workers daughter. What a hard thing for a 13 yr old to have to go through. Praying peace and confidence for both mom and daughter.
@Linda in NC – praying for your sister – may she come through surgery without any complications, and God give you peace – wanting to be there for her but unable to. Also – praise that your SIL is doing well!…always lifting you up as you care for your husband – the same for @Lynn from Alabama, @grammiesue and @all my sisters who are care givers for their loved ones.
@Miafaith – oh my dear sister, what a heartache you have had to endure. Much prayers for you and your family. May God minister to each heart, heal their mental illnesses and give peace to their souls. Praying also that your son’s home sells, and that he might get a contract today.
Have a blessed Monday, may the light of Jesus warm your souls today.
Hi She’s! What a great devotional today.
I am still in need of continued prayer. Again, since my son died by suicide (April 1st will be 10years) our family has been in constant turmoil. Mental illness has reared its head again and again in my children and grands (to devastating lengths). It is something almost every day. FOR TEN YEARS! I am exhausted. It’s too much. Please pray for my family. We need other believers to stand in the gap for us. Specifically today my son needs his house to sell. That may seem small, but the story that goes with it is anything but. We are praying for a contract today!!
I’m lifting up all the prayer requests here as well. Hugs to all.
I have been reading with SRT for a while now but this is the first time I am posting. I am a teacher and my coworker has a daughter who has struggled with a brain tumor for years. It is no longer growing and it is benign but the cyst attached to the dead tumor is still growing. It is located near her brain stem and Sunday they go for an MRI to determine if brain surgery needs to be done again. This kiddo is only 13 and has been through so much. The pressure on her brain stem has been making her fall much more often. Please pray that she receives healing and if they do go ahead with the surgery pray that the most invasive plan they have works. Please pray for peace and confidence for her mom who handles each new problem with a calmness that I don’t think I could ever muster. It is so important to me that no matter what they have to do that they both feel God’s peace wash over them at every step.
Love this reminder that God sees us and has a plan, even if we don’t see it ourselves. Lifting up the prayer requests today ❤️
LINDA IN NC – SHEESH!!! Maybe God thought you needed a chuckle, but I apologize for that missing letter(name) and the ridiculous auto correct. My morning eyes don’t always see these things in proofreading!
I backed up to the verse 8 in Isaiah (as there was a title there… “The Restoration of Israel”) and to the beginning of chapter 31 in Jeremiah. So. Rich.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3
And many of you know I have been blue lately… Jeremiah 31:25 is also so encouraging to me. I know He loves me, but this jumped out to me today… “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
I have mentioned it before, but in case you missed the post… SRT is aware of the “purchase error”. Let’s be patient a little while longer, sweet She’s. ❤️
LIND IN NC – Goose to see you! Prayers for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery for your sister and for your heart in wanting to be with her. I know how hard that is!
For you and LYNNE FROM ALABAMA, GRAMIESUE, NANCY S – Continued prayers for strength and endurance, confidence and comfort as you care for your husbands! ❤
Oh SO Good!! The scripture, the message, the devotional, and then your comments!! Good Monday morning impact of knowing God REMEMBERS me when I know it or not!! Through good and bad, the mountains and the valleys, through rejoicing or sorrow. What a truth. What an amazing knowledge of OUR GOD!! He is good, we are written on His hand. May I cling to that truth no matter WHAT comes my way, that I will stand on the rock.
“Stong” is playing by Anne Wilson…the verse that says “This world will try to break me, but I know the One who makes me- STRONG!! Amen! I will remember that! Write it on my heart. AND TESTIFY and share. When we stand strong in faith, the knowing that God is there when we can’t see the outcome, but knowing He will finish what He started, and we know the end of the story!!
Praying for the needs this morning! Come to the FB page and share a highlight of your wkd! If you haven’t been accepted, go back to the question asked and answer you are part of “SHE READS TRUTH” to be admitted. I have several that I need that from, rather than a “yes!”
Words that stood out to me today:
go and tell, ransomed, redeemed, restored, refreshed.
RE: Jeremiah 31:22. Yes, it grabbed my attention, too, KELLY NEO and SEARCHING.From the NET footnotes:
The meaning of this last line is uncertain. The translation has taken it as proverbial for something new and unique. For a fairly complete discussion of most of the options see C. Feinberg, “Jeremiah,” EBC 6:571. For the nuance of “protecting” for the verb here see BDB 686 s.v. סָבַב Po‘ 1 and compare the usage in Deut
John MacArthur notes:
Here is one of the most puzzling statements in Jeremiah. Some see the virgin birth of Christ (but “woman” means a woman, not a virgin, and “encompass” or “surround” does not suggest conceiving). Possibly it refers to the formerly virgin Israel (v. 21), who is now a disgraced, divorced wife (v. 22; 3:8). She will one day in the future re-embrace her former husband, the Lord, and He will receive her back, fully forgiven. That would be “a new thing on the earth.”
Warren Wiersbe says:
As the Jews moved into captivity in Babylon, God told them to remember the roads and set up markers along the route, for the people would use those same roads when they returned to their land. Jeremiah pictured Judah as a silly girl, flitting from lover to lover, and now summoned to come home. (He had used this image before. See 2:1, 2, 20; 3:1–11.) According to the law, a daughter who prostituted herself should have been killed (Lev. 21:9; Deut. 22:21), but God would do a new thing: He would welcome her home and forgive her!
After reading all the notes and dictionary examples of the Hebrew word (savah), I see it as God is going to do something they not only haven’t seen before, but something they would never expect to see – like a woman protecting a man.
TINA – maybe we will share a jail cell! Lol I have to catch myself often while singing in church! ❤
SEARCHING – His palm! ❤
Praying for all and for all that you are facing in the week ahead. ❤
What a beautiful reminder from Ginny that even when we don’t see God, that He is working. We can stand in His promises because we have been brought into His family by Jesus’ sacrifice.
Thank you God for sending the righteous for the unrighteous to redeem us!
Linda in NC- the Lord be near to your sister as she has this surgery. May she have peace and strength from Him. Praying it is successful and that she has renewed gratitude for her life and body after it is completed. God be near to you as well, as you caretake for your husband. ❤️
@Theresa- that is an eventful weekend! I am sorry your son’s wound reopened, but praise God for showing you His faithfulness, too. Praying you and your husband hold tight to it. ❤️
@Aleida- I thought of prodigals when I read these verses as well. I never like to highlight in my actual physical Bible, I prefer to take notes in a notebook. But I got out my highlighter for this passage so that I’d have encouragement for future worries over prodigals. It is the only highlight in my whole Bible, lol.
It is so important we don’t forget God’s heart for them. ❤️ God bless Victor, and all those we love like him. They will return, in Jesus’s name!!!
My younger sister is in OR right now for open heart surgery to repair (hopefully not replace) her mitral valve. Because she’s so slender they were unable to do less invasive surgery. Thank you very much in advance for your prayers. I’m unable to be with her because of my need to be with my husband. She has a long road of recovery ahead.
My IL is recovering well from he surgery last week.
I’m so blessed to have so many who continue to lift us to th throne of grace❤
Have a blessed day wrapped in love, sweet sisters.
@Shannon I am having the same problem with the app—also reached out and haven’t heard anything
@Theresa still praying for Arlo and wow what a testimony of God’s financial provision! He is so faithful
Thanks for being here ladies! Love reading all of your comments.
Hey there! Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a glitch in our app that isn’t allowing People of Remembrance to download. We encourage you to keep checking back on the app for updates. In the meantime, feel free to read along through our website until we are able to get this issue fixed – https://shereadstruth.com/plans/people-of-remembrance/.
@Shannon McGuffin, same here. I was excited to see the right reading was on the app this morning, but then I got the same message as you.
Hey there! Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a glitch in our app that isn’t allowing People of Remembrance to download. We encourage you to keep checking back on the app for updates. In the meantime, feel free to read along through our website until we are able to get this issue fixed – https://shereadstruth.com/plans/people-of-remembrance/.
Is anyone still having trouble with the app? I am a subscriber and I continue to get an error message: “Purchase error. Something went wrong” I have reached out to SRT, but have not heard back. Any help would be appreciated. I know I can read the devotionals on the website, but I love the app!
Hey there! Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a glitch in our app that isn’t allowing People of Remembrance to download. We encourage you to keep checking back on the app for updates. In the meantime, feel free to read along through our website until we are able to get this issue fixed – https://shereadstruth.com/plans/people-of-remembrance/.
I recently found this song by Kingsporch. It seems to fit perfectly with this current series.
“When my heart is racing deep inside my chest
When I’m underneath the weight of anxiousness
When my fear is raging and I can’t catch my breath
I will remember
You are faithful still
You have carried me through deeper waters
Walked beside me through the fire
Faithful still
You have have closed the mouth of bigger lions
Conquered even greater giants
Gone before me and You always will
You are faithful still
God, you saw this long before I ever knew
And your peace is waiting here to see me through
My deliverance is only found in You
So I will surrender
I have a hope, I have a future
I’m a child of the Mountain Mover”
On days when doubt creeps into, or maybe storms into, my mind as to whether God sees me and what’s going on in my life – I need to remember these verses from Isaiah, which speak truth in the face of wrong thinking.
14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,
And my Lord has forgotten me.”
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me. NKJV
KELLY (NEO) Me too on both of your ponderings. Inscribing and remembering so much more than my name. On 31:22b – “For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth—
A woman shall encompass a man” NKJV – the first thing I thought of was the virgin birth.
ALEIDA – Good to see you this morning. Continuing to pray for Victor – I had already written down your names down this morning before I read your post. Praying Victor will remember his love for the Lord.
DEANNA RASCH – praying all is well
TINA – pretty sure there are no arrests for dancing joyfully ❤️ David danced, and I think rhythm is in built into our souls.
CEE GEE ❤️
Sisters- thank you, thank you for the continued prayers for Arlo. It’s been an eventful weekend for him! We found ourselves back in the ER yesterday when the wound on his chin re-opened and began bleeding everywhere. He’s not even sure when or how exactly it happened, but the poor boy now has a set of internal stitches and a new set of external stitches for the week. He handled it so well, but as you can imagine he’s a little bit uncomfortable now.
I also mentioned that we needed to pay several thousand dollars up front to cover the anesthesia and oral surgery where our insurance falls a little short. My husband owns a small business on the side of his regular job. He does it because he loves it, or because it’s particularly profitable. Sales are sporadic and when we are able to take a payment is even more unpredictable. Well this past week he had a huge sale come through out of nowhere and on Saturday when he fulfilled it and calculated what he could take as profit it was the exact amount we needed to cover the upfront costs of Arlo’s surgery…TO THE DOLLAR! If that isn’t the Lord, I don’t know how else you could explain it. He heard us and he remembered. He hears your prayers too and wants to provide!
Amen! He loves me and He remembers me. Praise God!
He remembers! Amen!❤️
I’ve always loved Isa. 49:16. Such a great picture of God’s covenantal commitment. Depending on the translation either “you” or “your name” is engraved in God’s hand. I’m going to lean into “you” today. All of me is indelibly marked in my God’s all-powerful hand.
Then, Jer. 31:22b jumped out to me today. A few different takes on it in the commentaries, but I’m leaning towrd it being a reference to the coming Messiah and the Virgin Birth. Any other thoughts, Shes?
May y’all have a peace-filled day
DANA – Hi ❤️
ALEIDA – Joining you in prayer for your son Victor ❤️
TINA – How beautiful to have Christ in your name ❤️
Dear sisters,
Let me know how I can pray for you today.
“Even when we can’t see it, we are the recipients of God’s great love.”
Thank you for reminding us, GINNY OWENS ❤️
Dear Father,
Your love for us is greater than we can imagine.
Let this truth sink deep into our hearts.
Satisfy us with your goodness today.
AMEN.
Amen!! ❤️
But now this is what the Lord says:
“Do not weep any longer,
for I will reward you,” says the Lord.
“Your children will come back to you
from the distant land of the enemy.
There is hope for your future,” says the Lord.
“Your children will come again to their own land.
I have heard Israel* saying,
‘You disciplined me severely,
like a calf that needs training for the yoke.
Turn me again to you and restore me,
for you alone are the Lord my God.
I turned away from God,
but then I was sorry.
I kicked myself for my stupidity!
I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.’
Jeremiah 32:16-25
These Words spoke to me so deeply. This is my biggest desire for my children, especially my prodigal son, Victor. He loved the Lord so much as a child, but the hard trials in his life and his mental illness have broken his heart and he’s walked away from his faith. Oh Lord may he completely surrender to you now
Sitting with my cereal in hand I thought I’d listen to the Jeremiah verses, have them read over me..
These verses 3-4 really hit home, they hit deep..
“I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love.❤ Once again I will rebuild you.❤ Once again you will take up your tambourine and dance joyfully..”
Singing with joy and moving my hips from left to right in a motion that I may get arrested for, but praise God, He sees and He knows the joy in my heart at these words spoken over me.. Thank you Lord God, Thank you..
I how He loves us! Oh, how He loves!❤
AMEN.❤
As I get older and forgetful (maybe:), I am often caught out as I see someone I know out and about,but cannot remember their name. I can remember their family members, or places we’ve been, things we have done together, but cannot for the life of me, remember their name! I am often praying as we chat about this, and that I might acknowledge them by name before we part!
BUT GOD..
I am so very thankful that He never forgets my name. The sweet name my parents gave me Christiana, is written in the palm of His hand. He remembers me not just when I am good but even when I am sinful, and, not in judgement, but in the same love He has had for me since my beginning.
God, remembers me in my sadness and in my joy.
He remembers me in my lack and my plenty.
He remembers me, when I am off course, or on course.
He remembers me when I am far from Him, through my selfish acts, and He remembers me when I am close to Him.
He remembers me, ya’ll, He remembers me and You.. whatever our journey, wherever we may wonder.. God remembers, and not for any other reason than that He absolutely and totally loves us..
HE LOVES US THROUGH IT ALL.
AMEN..
Monday blessings covered in love, dear hearts..♥️