Thoughts: Hannah's Blog

There are a lot of promises in His word and everyone loves it. God’s word speaks to us differently at different times. It comes right into our situations, at the right time to give us hope, to strengthen our weary souls, to declare his love, to reveal his character… the list goes on. Sometimes God gives us fresh revelations from a familiar verse that we’d have never thought of before. His word is a treasure trove, as we keep digging, we get more and more of it.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. – Isaiah 49:16

When I thought I was in a “forgotten” state, God repeatedly reminded that He has not forgotten me, sent me verses of hope when I was feeling hopeless, assured me of His power that “Nothing is impossible with God”. When I was struggling with unbelief, I was reminded of a sick boy’s father’s prayer “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) For every depressing and negative thought or emotion, the word of God came with power to combat that.

When I was expecting, I read online about the growth of a child, week by week. It was very fascinating to know how the baby grows within the womb. One more fascinating thing I learned was the number of verses in the Bible that talks about how God takes care of us from the womb – not just from birth, but before that – from the womb!

This is what the Lord says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. – Isaiah 44:2

Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, …, You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb; Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you. – Isaiah 46:3-4 NASB.

When I was scared during the initial days, His word strengthened me, it assured me of His help, of His provision. Whenever I was feeling sick and weak, His grace was sufficient for me, for His power was made perfect in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29) His word sustained me! He met all my needs – emotional and nutritional! (The people who know me will understand the significance: I am under-weight with a BMI close to 15!)

As I was learning how the baby was developing, I wondered at the way God designs life inside the womb. I had to agree with the Psalmist in exclaiming:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. – Psalms 139: 13-16 NLT

Weeks close to delivery, the following verses assured me that even though troubling times might be on my way, I need not fear as God would be with me, close by my side as Immanuel! And that He would deliver me.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2

“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. – Isaiah 66:9

The last verse was hung right inside the labor ward! And as I was getting ready to deliver the baby, this calmed my heart and by God’s help I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. I thank and praise God for being with me, leading me and strengthening me with His promises, His presence, His provision and protection. Truly He is a faithful God, who fulfills all His promises!