God delights in you

August 6, 2007

By Gary Rogers

“You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:4,5, NKJV).

There was a time in the spiritual history of the Israelites that they were “forsaken.” They had rebelled against God, pursued idolatry, and removed themselves from God’s favor. As a forsaken people they existed without the blessings and provisions of the Lord. Their fellowship with the Lord was broken by their own choices. This place of distance from God resulted in the land becoming “desolate.” Rather than flourishing and being vibrant with life, Israel was barren and desolate.

God sent Isaiah to proclaim that a change was coming. Rather than “forsaken,” the people would be “Hephzibah.” Hephzibah means, “My delight is in her.” Israel would turn to God. Again they would be a people of God living in obedience to Him and becoming a source of delight for Jehovah. Rather than “desolate” they would be “Beulah.” Beulah means, “married.” Once again God would rejoice over the land of Israel as the people brought joy to their Master through their lives of service to His throne.

Israel’s situation could also describe each of us. When we live in disobedience to God we are forsaken and desolate. We don’t want God’s influence in our lives. We don’t care what His plan or purpose is for our future. We give nothing back to Him and provide no produce for His harvest.

But when any of us accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we undergo an amazing change. Through Jesus we are a delight to God. We are pleasing to God because we have accepted His Son. God delights in us. Now we are married. We have a companion who loves us with a sacrificial love. Our companion longs to be with us, and we live in anticipation of being together forever. Thank God for the change salvation makes.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.