For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5 For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you. –Isaiah 62:1-5
My Lutheran roots are surfacing once again. I share this devotion brought to you by Tom Jolivette, an alum of Luther Seminary in St Paul, Minnesota.
God delights in restoring broken relationships. The people of Israel were separated from the presence of God in Exile, a presence that was visibly taken away when Jerusalem was captured, and the temple destroyed. But God delighted in bringing God’s people back into relationship by restoring Jerusalem, rebuilding the temple and treating them as if God and God’s people were newlyweds.
Through all generations and in many ways, this has been the work of God for us, restoring and rebuilding broken relationships. What has been torn down in your life that separates you from God? Know that God is actively working to bring you restoration and healing, hope and a future.
Show me your presence, O God, so that I will know that you are with me and will never leave me. Amen.
In Christ – Tammy