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by Gary Sims
01/11/04
Not For Sale
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The Scriptures
Isaiah 62:1-5 – Called By A New Name

Key Verses: (NRSV)

1: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent…, until her vindication shines out like the dawn.” – This was a promise for Israel following the Exile and the depressing conditions they found themselves in. However, it is also a promise for any darkness we might also be experiencing in our lives.
2: “…and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give.” – Being called by a new name erases the past. A promise of a new day lies ahead, ready and waiting for all who turn and listen to the LORD.
3: “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD.” – Holiness is available when we turn into His open hands of righteousness.
4: “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate.” – It doesn’t matter how alone we are or how far from God we feel. He takes our brokenness and makes us whole.
5: “…and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” – God loves you…can anything be better than that?

Points to Contemplate:

Do you feel forsaken? When you add up all the sins and failures in your life, do you wonder if God could really bother loving you? Does the story about the Israelites give you an indication of how far God is willing to go for you? During the centuries of disappointment, sin, idolatry, and disobedience, did God ever stop loving His people? Could there be any reason that He would stop loving you?
Do you feel alone and desolate? Perhaps you are trying to follow God’s path for your life but you can’t find any support among your family or peers. Does this desolation get you down? Have you considered how the prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah must have felt? Was anyone listening? Was everything hopeless? Not with God…He continued to provide hope and inspiration even when things seemed so completely hopeless. He is always with you.
In what ways are you a “crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD?” Have you considered documenting the “God Moments” in your life? Does this help you to discover the over-whelming amount of evidence of His love in your life? Who else is as active in your life? Who but God has always been available in times of need? Who else sends you messages of hope and inspiration on such a regular basis? Does this not prove how important you are to God? Do you accept, now, that you are a “crown of beauty” in His hand?
Have you given God a reason to rejoice over you? Because He is rejoicing should you not feel like rejoicing as well? If God is happy about you, shouldn’t you also be happy? Can you erase the worry lines from your brow and turn them into smile lines? Is there any reason why you should not always be at peace and joyful? When you find yourself despondent, sad, and worried, does the image of God rejoicing over you help turn your frown into a smile?

Promises of the Gospel:

God is rejoicing over us like a bridegroom rejoices over a bride. And, in turn, the blushing bride glows with contentment and joy. Dark times may come into our lives and desolation might descend like a cloud, yet, God promises not to forsake us. His promise to the Israelites 2700 years ago is alive and well today. He calls us by a new name and lifts us, with His righteousness, into a life that shines like the dawn. Storm clouds may gather but they never last. Knowing that God is rejoicing and understanding that He considers each of us to be a crown of beauty in His hand, provides us not only with a message of hope, but it also should put a smile a mile-wide across our faces. Rejoice in His love!

FUMC Devotionals

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