16 January 2022

You 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.

From Isaiah 62:1-5, NRSV

The people of Israel had wandered far from God and for a time, it had seemed that they had been forsaken. However, God was prepared and willing to forgive their past unfaithfulness and to allow the past to be forgotten. Isaiah tells the exiles who had returned from exile that God wants to be close to his people once more. He uses the image of marriage to express this closeness – the people are being offered an intimate and loving relationship with their God who delights in them and wants the best for them.

• • How do you suppose the exiles who first heard these words felt about what God was offering to them?
  • When have you felt that God was giving you another “chance”?

Give thanks for the times when you have felt God’s forgiveness and love.