The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 11 January 2016 "God Pause Daily Devotional" Isaiah 62:1-5

The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 11 January 2016 "God Pause Daily Devotional" Isaiah 62:1-5Isaiah 62:1

 For Tziyon’s sake I will not be silent,

for Yerushalayim’s sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out brightly

and her salvation like a blazing torch.

2 The nations will see your vindication

and all kings your glory.

Then you will be called by a new name

which Adonai himself will pronounce.

3 You will be a glorious crown in the hand of Adonai,

a royal diadem held by your God.

4 You will no longer be spoken of as ‘Azuvah [Abandoned]

or your land be spoken of as ‘Sh’mamah [Desolate];

rather, you will be called Heftzi-Vah [My-Delight-Is-In-Her]

and your land Be‘ulah [Married].

For Adonai delights in you,

and your land will be married —

5 as a young man marries a young woman,

your sons will marry you;

as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

your God will rejoice over you.

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God delights in restoring broken relationships. The people of Israel were separated from the presence of God in Exile, a presence that was visibly taken away when Jerusalem was captured and the temple destroyed. But God delighted in bringing God's people back into relationship by restoring Jerusalem, rebuilding the temple and treating them as if God and God's people were newlyweds.
Through all generations and in many different ways, this has been the work of God for us, restoring and rebuilding broken relationships. What has been torn down in your life that separates you from God? Know that God is actively working to bring you restoration and healing, hope and a future.
Show me your presence, O God, so that I will know that you are with me and will never leave me. Amen.
Tom Jolivette
Executive for Client Development, Kairos and Associates
Master of Divinity , 1980
Isaiah 62:1 I will speak out to encourage Jerusalem; I will not be silent until she is saved, And her victory shines like a torch in the night.
2 Jerusalem, the nations will see you victorious! All their kings will see your glory. You will be called by a new name, A name given by the Lord himself.
3 You will be like a beautiful crown for the Lord.
4 No longer will you be called "Forsaken," Or your land be called "The Deserted Wife." Your new name will be "God Is Pleased with Her." Your land will be called "Happily Married," Because the Lord is pleased with you And will be like a husband to your land.
5 Like a young man taking a virgin as his bride, He who formed you will marry you. As a groom is delighted with his bride, So your God will delight in you.[New Revised Standard Version]
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