Isaiah 62:1-5 (NRSV)
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Chapter 62For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. Verse 2The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. Verse 3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Verse 4You 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, and your land shall be married. Verse 5For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Devotion
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Technically these famous words from Shakespeare may be true, but for many of us, our name means a lot. It is the means by which the world knows us, the source of our identity. A name can be a link to a specific characteristic or a piece of family history. Names are important.
When God passed judgment on the people to whom Isaiah preached, he called them what they were: desolate, empty, forsaken (Isa. 6:9-13). But in this passage, God gives Israel a new name. It signifies a fresh start, a new promise for a bright future and God’s continued presence.
We, too, have been renamed by God. Through baptism, we are given the name of Jesus Christ. What’s in that name? Hope for a future with God, the promise of forgiveness of sins and assurance of the greatest love ever known. Is there any sweeter name than child of God?
Prayer
Thank you for calling me by name, Lord, and for calling me your child. Amen.