Isaiah 62 Devotional

Named by His Delight

“For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.”Isaiah 62:5 (BSB)

The speaker refuses to keep quiet until Jerusalem's righteousness shines like a torch before the nations (62:1-2). Then the LORD renames her. She will no longer be called Forsaken or Desolate. Her new names speak of God's delight in her (62:4). As a groom rejoices over his bride, so God rejoices over his people (62:5).

Watchmen are posted on her walls who never fall silent, and those who call on the LORD are told to keep at it without letup until he makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth (62:6-7). Persistent prayer is not nagging an unwilling God. It is agreeing with what he has already sworn to do (62:8). Jesus told a parable to teach his followers to keep praying and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). The chapter ends with more new names: Holy People, Redeemed of the LORD, Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken (62:12). God names his people by his delight, not by their past, and his promises give you every reason to keep praying.

To think about: What has God promised that you could keep bringing to him in persistent prayer this week?