Today’s Thought “Once Lost, But Now – Found” G. Ward

 

Isaiah 62:4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the Lord delights in you, And to Him your land will be married.

 

This verse is a depiction of what is meant by trouble not lasting. Israel, God’s own, would act unbecoming of the Lord’s salvation (and we certainly know something of that) and whereas the wages of such sinfulness was with consequence not thought of when selfish desire forgot Holy God’s Way, Israel would be taken captive unto a weary land, distant from the one flowing with “milk and honey.” The Almighty, would hear their cries (particularly because of their godly sorrow), He’d allow their return. Paul Bunyan, a prolific Christian author, wrote a manuscript central to such a theme called The Pilgrim’s Progress, writing very specifically about Isaiah 64 that said, “In this land also the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so doth God rejoice over them.” Moreover, old hymnbooks contained a great classic, namely Beulah Land, also relative to this verse. Listen to one great stanza; “I’ve reached the land of corn and wine, And all its riches freely mine; Here shines undimmed one blissful day, For all my night has passed away.”

May our journey in this strange land, more understand the reprieve felt for Israel upon being granted a return to their Maker’s bosom, has become our Lord Jesus’ presence in us and nothing can separate us from HIS love (Ro.8:35).

 

Father God, we marvel at such marvelous love you have for us! We are contained by flesh, but yet overwhelmingly conquerors through Jesus. So, our hearts surrendered to the gift HE provided, desires to sing melodies indicative of our salvation, knowing while we were enemies of the cross, LOVE entered the room, invading our souls in pardon unto restoration, whereby we await being with our Lord Jesus - day and night, proclaiming Him Victorious unto any. We sing praises to Your Name! Amen.