You shall no more be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land be called Desolate any more. But you shall be called Hephzibah [My delight is in her], and your land be called Beulah[married]; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married [owned and protected by the Lord]. – Isaiah 62:3-5
I know this promise is one for the Israelite nation. I’m so much like them, and God never changes. Not ever.
They were forsaken. Desolate. My name could be desolate, most days.
Empty. Bare. Stripped of any worthy offering.
Alone. Solitary. Even in a crowded place, surrounded by love, who could know what life is like for me? How each breath sometimes feels not worth the effort.
Joyless. Without hope. Putting on a happy face doesn’t really scratch the surface, the facade of “I’m ok”. Not much to look forward to when forward means further. Harder. Deeper into the difficult.
But Desolate is not my name.
It is not my name because I have found the One who delights in me. He has named me Hephzibah, and it is a name I treasure. The God who fashioned the galaxies delights in me.
It is not my name because I am married. I am called Beulah, for the Lord owns and protects me as a husband loves His bride.
He finds my meager offering to be a spring of love. Bountiful, lasting, sought.
Christ assures me that He is the constant companion who knows what this life is like. He cares, He soothes, He comforts.
My Bridegroom has promised that joy and hope are found in Him. The roots burrow deep into my most secret fears, bringing light and a desire to continue on.
This promise, given so long ago, holds true today for Brides like me. Like you.
What is your name?
Heavenly Father, it is so difficult for my small mind to grasp Your great love, especially for someone as unworthy as I. Thank you for calling me Hephzibah and Beulah. I am Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
After 21 years of chronic dizziness with now diagnosis I understand how it is to feel useless. Even though at times I don’t “feel” it, God does love me and I am not useless to Him.
Rita
Rita, I have 2 dear friends who have had chronic vertigo issues for 20+ years. Unexplained, severe, life-altering. Bless your heart. I will be praying for you. You are SO loved. His favorite thing. And you are anything but useless. Feel free to email me any time at
Heart Hugs <3
The impossible reality of being Christ’s bride is just amazing to me. Sort of like joy unspeakable. But Paul prayed that we might understand the height, depth, & width of God’s marvelous love for us. Thanks again Shelly, for a beautiful post that makes my heart sing! Hope has a lovely, lovely voice & the song was a pleasure to hear! Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
Cynthia+Swenson recently posted…Jesus & the Samaritan woman (how Jesus treated women!)
You really nailed it, Cynthia! It amazes me, too! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Pleased to meet you, Hephzibah…..we have the same name, but God can tell us apart by the numbers of hairs on our heads 😉
How you write such beautiful posts amidst all life throws at you, never ceases to amaze me.
He is telling me that YOU are His treasured possession: For you are my
treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant,
then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.
(NIV Bible)
Beautiful verse, fellow Hephzibah! 🙂 Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly, what a beautiful post. It’s such an amazing fact to think that there is Someone who loves me so much that He has given me a new name. Any time I feel down, all I have to do is think about that fact and the knowledge that He loves me more than I could possibly believe or understand.
I recently read where someone said that it was a good thing that we couldn’t comprehend what God does because it shows how big He is and how complicated His mind is.
Wow, I love that. Thanks for sharing here! Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3