From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 7:06 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: August 22nd Greetings

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
 Your walls are continually before Me."  Isaiah 49:16

The Amplified Bible reads, "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me."

This speaks of the preciousness of God's people, the Church.  Throughout the Old Testament God is revealing His plan set forth in eternity past. "He (God) found him in a desert land,  And in the howling waste of a wilderness;  He encircled him, He cared for him,  He guarded him as the pupil of His eye."  Deuteronomy 32:11

"You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord;  And a royal diadem in the hand of your God...  But you will be called, "My delight is in her,"  And your land, "Married."  Isaiah 62:3-4 (Read all of Chapter 62 and rejoice in the Lord.)

 "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8

"...I will also make You a light of the nations
 So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and its Holy One..." Isaiah 49:6-7

"And the Lord their God will save them in that day
 As the flock of His people;
 For they are as the stones of a crown,
 Sparkling in His land."  Zechariah 9:16

"'And they will be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I prepare My own possession (my jewels; special treasure)...'"  Malachi 3:17

I do not do justice to the telling of the preciousness of God's people for there is so much more in the Old Testament that looks forward to the body of Christ, the Church; the Bride of Christ.  The Old Testament saints could only look from afar as they put their faith in God and trusting, stood firm.

Hebrews 11:13-14  says, "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own."

Hebrews 11:16 tells us, "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them."

How precious is the Church?  (Do not think that we of ourselves are anything special, but know that God is glorious, gracious, good and  lovely beyond  measure as you read Vs. 39-40) "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."

To we too look forward:
"...Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride (the Church) has made herself ready." Revelation 19:6

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them."  Revelation 20:2

Hail to King Jesus our Lord and Savior God.  Amen!