Hephzibah
Today’s Verse:
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. ~Isaiah 62:4
The word “forsaken” is very ominous and carries with it feelings of darkness and despair. It has the meaning of being abandoned, deserted, and rejected. To be forsaken is to be at a very dark and lonely place in life. The Jews had become so idolatrous and unrepentant, God left them to their sins. They came under attack from the hostile nations around them and sorely defeated. In their defeat, they felt forsaken by God and cried out for His mercy and help. At their lowest point, God extended His mercies to them for restoration. The Lord told Jerusalem it would no longer be called “forsaken,” but instead “Hephzibah.” Hephzibah means “the Lord delighteth in thee.”
The Lord delights in us because we are family.
God uses the analogy of a newly married man and woman to describe how much He loves us. We are placed in God’s family when we believe in the name of the Lord Jesus for our salvation. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). We are privileged in God’s family to call on God as “Abba, Father.” “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:6-7). God rejoices over us that we are in his family!
The Lord delights in us when we exercise faith.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). God is pleased when we exercise faith in Him. Faith demonstrates our complete trust in God. It demonstrates our belief that God is able to do the impossible. It is a powerful testimony of our obedience in Him. Without faith, we cannot please God. Without faith, prayers go unanswered. Without faith, we are like other men. The more faith we exercise, the more God is pleased. Let us walk by faith and not by sight, so that God is well-pleased and delights in us.
The Lord delights in us when there is fellowship.
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4). Fellowship describes the commitment to our relationship with God. Fellowship involves time, listening, talking, and sometimes correction. Fellowship is how we grow in our relationship. God made us to have fellowship with Him. Our joy is never fuller than when we spend time with God.
God told Jerusalem it would be called “Hephzibah.” In spite of our failures and sins, be thankful today that the Lord delights in us. In His mercy, He accepts us and welcomes us continuously into His presence. Take time this morning in allowing God’s love to secure and strengthen you.
Have a contented God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 11-13