Isaiah 49

The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb he called me by name.
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword.
He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.
I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,
and you will bring me glory.”
I replied, “But my work seems so useless!
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand;
I will trust God for my reward.”
And now the Lord speaks —
the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant,
who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.
The Lord has honored me,
and my God has given me strength.
He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
(verses 1-6)

Who was the Lord speaking to? Who does 'me,' 'my' and 'I' refer to?
... called before my birth
... called by name
... words of judgment made sharp as a sword
... hidden in the shadow of His hand
... like a sharp arrow in His quiver
... His servant
... will bring Him glory
... formed in mother's womb to be His servant
... commissioned to bring Israel back to Him
... honoured
... given strength
... will do more than restore the people of Israel to the Lord
... made a light to the Gentiles
... will bring salvation to the ends of the earth

Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.
(verses 15-16)

It is possible for a mother to forget her nursing child ... possible for a mother to feel no love for her child ... but impossible for the Lord to forget us! He has written our names on the palms of His hands ... a picture of us always in His mind!

Those who trust in me will never be put to shame.
(verse 23)

Trust in the Lord = never be put to shame.