“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
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.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you…
“Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.’
And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.” Isaiah 62:1-5,10-12
Much is made of names in the Bible, with new names and lists and genealogies identifying individuals, all important to God. Today, many children’s names are drawn from preference and honor, nicknames are born in idiosyncrasies and silliness, but God’s names for us are rooted in His love and spiritual truth. What He bestows both humbles and secures, and can be worn with dignity and confidence. (Genesis 2:23; 17:5; 29:31-30:24; Matthew 10:2-4)
Once forsaken and desolate as enemies of Christ, we are raised up by our merciful God as a crown of beauty in His hand, royal children of the King, holy people redeemed of the Lord. He has sought us out and delights over us with singing, never to forsake. What wondrous love is this? (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 5:8-11)
What old identities need shedding, what stones of soul to be cleared? Can I say the Lord delights in my private loves, as well as the way I treat loved ones? What unholy sins of heart- resentment, covetousness, or ingratitude- need repenting? To which habits do I act as though I’m still enslaved, although the Lord has freed me from them?
Are there areas of mind and action I try to hide, deceiving myself to think the Lord does not seek me out? He loves too much to let us stray. Would I return in confession and embrace His comfort, with confidence that He’ll always welcome and never forsake? (Psalm 139:7-12; Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:14-16; 13:5)
If I believe all His words true, how accurately, graciously, honestly, and robustly am I living out the new names He has bestowed? What action adorns their promise, what behaviors their blessing?
Good and Blessed Redeemer, may I live all You have named me with the glory and honor due You, whose name exceeds all others. (Philippians 2:10)
As the rain and snow 