Article Seventeen
God's Verdict
“No longer called ‘deserted’ or ‘desolate’. You will be called ‘Hephzibah’, and ‘Beulah’; for the Lord will delight in you, and your land will be married.” (Taken from Isaiah 62:3-4 (NIV)).
How many of us flinch as we read this verse? As we consider this to be seemingly far from our reality or past experiences? Yet, yielding in our divine union in Christ, we enjoy the delight of returning to the splendour of God’s original design.
“As the bridegroom finds joy in his union with his bride, so will your God take joy in his union with you!” Isaiah 62:5 (TPT)
The Lord is providing us with Himself as our husband; therefore, we no longer need to live from a deserted heart of desolate emotions. In the very places we have felt abandoned, widowed, orphaned, or deserted, God marries us back to Himself.
What does it mean to be called ‘beautiful’ and ‘married’, especially in those abandoned and desolate places?
As we dialogue with Holy Spirit, He offers insight into the truth about ourselves and God. We allow Him to map God’s character and faithfulness over these wounds to see Him showing up, filling the empty spaces and overwhelming us with peace, joy and hope.
Once we find ourselves here, we see this truth changing our perspective. Now we no longer align ourselves with the orphan mindset or the abandonment of widow-hood, but rest in the certainty of this scripture.
In conclusion, our hearts are complete as we surrender to the Lord as His beloved, held lovingly and tenderly in His enfolding arms. Everything else that has tried to narrate our story falls silent as His voice resounds within us.