This chapter describes “Zion’s coming salvation”. We learn of God’s plan to restore His people and their land. There are so many uplifting and encouraging promises in this chapter I encourage you to read it yourself (it’s 12 pretty deep verses).
“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. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord… 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… as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (v2-5 abr)
Carrying on yesterday’s theme, God wants to glorify His people, so that He can be glorified through them. This will be a message to all those who do not yet know Jesus, so they may choose to follow Him.
God uses very intimate and tender language when speaking of His people – He calls them “a crown of beauty”, “a royal diadem”, a people “called by a new name”, “My Delight is in Her”, and “daughter of Zion”. God speaks of His people the way a proud parent would speak of a precious daughter – we are beautiful, treasured, and celebrated.
If we’re ever feeling down, or upset with ourselves (I am my own harshest critic, maybe you are too), we can change that view by looking at ourselves through God’s eyes. He doesn’t call us names, belittle us, beat us up, or tell us we’re worthless; the exact opposite is true – He sees us through the imputed righteousness of Jesus, declaring us to be perfect and flawless, worthy of His love and adoration. Because God loves this way, we can love ourselves the same way, and extend that Christlike love to our neighbors as well.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your steadfast love and compassion. You look upon us with such kindness, and yet we often struggle to see ourselves the way You do. Please help us to love ourselves as You do, and love our neighbors as Jesus loves the church. For Your honor, glory, and praise, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training