 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. 2 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. 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 sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. 6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, 7 and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. 8 The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink your wine for which you have labored; 9 but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.” 10 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. 11 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.” 12 And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken. Meditation God’s love delights in you, making you worthy and secure through Christ. God leaves no room for you to not be celebrated by Him. “The Lord delights in you,” writes Isaiah (4). The Lord gives you a new name “my delight is in her” and “sought out, not forsaken” (12). God pursues you as a groom pursues his bride. In Him you are destined for glory (2), a trophy in His hand (3) and the object of His delight (4). God rejoices over His people with His love, restoring dignity to all who turn to Him. God rejoices over you (5). The architectural details describing the city of Jerusalem (5-9) serve the purpose of celebrating the place of eternal rejoicing- Salvation has come (10) and God will dwell with His people forever. The prophet Zephaniah adds to the imagery of renewal- the Lord rejoices over you with singing, longing to restore you with His love (Zephaniah 3:14-17). God rejoices over you! The Lord gives new names to those who trust His delight. We are no longer sinful, rebellious, lost, and abandoned. In God’s steadfast love we are Holy, redeemed, sought out, not forsaken, and His delight (4, 12). The fullness of God’s steadfast love is seen in Jesus. He loves you based on His work and not your performance. Allow yourself to be celebrated by the love of our Heavenly Father. He delights in you! Richly Dwelling -Do you struggle with the truth of God delighting in you? Why? -The description of God’s delight for you is detailed. Which stands out to you, mainly from verses 2, 4, and 12? -Jesus is the fullness of God’s steadfast love. He invites people to come home, retuning to the delight of our heavenly Father. Do you or someone you know need to return? Key Verse 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. Comments are closed.
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