epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Isaiah 62

I once stayed in a wonderful brownstone-type hotel in Manhattan that was for pastors and missionaries who were visiting New York City. It was called Hephzibah House. The name comes from Isaiah 62. The Hebrew word Hephzibah means “My Delight is In Her.” I am not sure that any of the young women in our church would have liked to have the name Hephzibah, but it is a beautiful name for the people of God as a whole. So often we read providence incorrectly and we come to the wrong conclusion that God will never be delighted with us. He has set His affection upon us even now, and He tells us that we are being prepared to be a Bride for His holy Son, Jesus Christ.

God will not keep silent. He is going to speak about His love. It seems that His speech will even make His Jerusalem lovely with righteousness and salvation that is as bright as a burning torch and glorious in holiness. With this new beauty will also come a new name and a new status. She was once “Forsaken” and “Desolate.” But now her shame has been removed by her loving Husband, for she is to be married to the finest of men. This is why she now has the name Hephzibah, for the Lord delights in her. God will rejoice over Zion.

Is that not amazing? How could sinners be in an assembly that has won the name Hephzibah? This has come to us through the merit and mediation of the Son of God Himself. Of course, this does not diminish the prize, but only enhances our sense of extreme privilege. We may have an impulse rising up within us that we want to have a beauty that is based on our own merits, with no reference to the work of a perfect substitute on our behalf. But if we were to face the gaze of God without the covering of Christ’s righteousness we would simply be condemned. With the righteousness of Christ as our recommendation we are forever Hephzibah.

This is God’s promise to us. Will we now be satisfied with something less than that? If we take such a complacent attitude towards the blessings that the Lord has announced, this would not be a good thing, but would reflect an undervaluing of the greatness of His indescribable gift. We must be like watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem day and night. God has appointed us as watchmen and we are to watch for Him and speak. We should never be silent. Who are we speaking to with such endurance and fervor? First, He invites us to speak to Him about His great promise. We are told to put the Lord in remembrance and to give Him no rest. This is how sure God is about His promise. If we will pray to Him with this fervor, our faith will grow through the exercise of speaking with God. “Lord we are Your Hephzibah! Do not forsake us! Come quickly!”

We have received tremendous encouragement in our prayers because the Lord Himself has come in the person of Jesus Christ, and has already accomplished our complete redemption. He has worked tremendous signs of divine power. He has demonstrated incomparable mercy to the poor and the outcast. He has taught with fearlessness and His words ring true in our hearts now with the further gift of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of His resurrection and exaltation to the church. We have the assurance of the coming of Christ, His death for us, and His resurrection, but we are told to keep on praying until we have something else. We must give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem in full. On that great day the righteous will shine forever in the glory of the Father. We long for the return of the One who came first to secure such a great salvation and will come again to show forth His victory in fullness.

We have salvation now, yet like Israel of old, it is obvious that everything is not yet alright. When foreigners ate their grain, and enemies killed their loved ones, could it be that watchmen were finished with their task of seeking the Lord? Today has our adversary given up his role as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? We need the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to come and claim His bride. “Lord, look on us in our present danger! We are weak! Save us!”

The watchmen not only speak to the Lord. They also move the people of God in the actions of faith. If we believe that the Lord hears and answers prayer, then we move out in the confidence that He will accomplish His holy will in full. So we say to the Lord’s church, “Behold, your salvation comes.” We remind them of who they are. They are a Holy People, set apart from what is common as the special possession of God. They are the Redeemed of the Lord, bought not with the cheap price of silver and gold, but redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. They are Sought Out, no longer wandering away from the watchful protection of our mighty and beloved Lord. They are A City Not Forsaken.

Believe these promises today and always. Watch and wait for the Lord. Work as those who know that the Master can return at any hour. Pray and seek Him for the fullness that He has promised. He has commanded us to give Him no rest on these matters. Encourage one another to move out in faith, for there is much to be done in the service of our God.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 7:00 AM

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