Newly named followers of the Lord

ISAIAH    CHAPTER 62

(Many scholars believe Isaiah speaks in the first part of this chapter)
He says that he loves Zion (Jerusalem) and cannot remain silent. He would not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.

The next paragraph talks about Kings being blinded by the glory of Zion and the Lord giving it a new name. The new name will be City of God's Delight and Bride of God, because the Lord delights in it and he claims it as his own. The children will care for them, Jerusalem just as a young man cares for his bride. Then God will rejoice over all as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.

God posted watchmen on the city walls and they pray to the Lord day and night for the fulfillment of his promises. The Lord swore to Jerusalem by his own strength that he would never again hand Jerusalem over to their enemies, nor would  foreign warriors take away the grain and wine.

Go out, says the Lord. And prepare a highway for my people to return. The Lord has sent a message to every land telling the people of Israel "Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. They will be called the Holy People and the People Redeemed by the Lord. And Jerusalem will be known as the Desirable Place and the City no Longer Forsaken."

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY?
There is a sense of urgency in Isaiah's tone. Perhaps he wants all these things to happen to Jerusalem and its people, before he is called home to heaven. Perhaps his urgency is really just passion. A passionate appeal to the people to be thankful for the new name the Lord has given them.


This is a view into the workings of God's mind. God who all but destroyed his people for the sins they committed against him. But now things have changed and God sees a tremendous hope for his people. He uses encouraging words and tells the people to prepare the highway for his people to return.

In our world today, God is constantly asking us to prepare the way.  We are asked daily to spread his word and encourage people to come worship with us. Isn't this exactly what we hoped for? To be lifted up to a place where we will be treated like the bride to a bridegroom. To be valued by God. To be worthy of his presence? I want this. I hope you do too. Pray to God that the day will come again soon when we too, will be called the Holy People and People Redeemed by the Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.


Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.


Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.


Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.


Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.


Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.


Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.


Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.


Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.


SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary


RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John


LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian


SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.