In a time of worship and prayer recently, I heard these words from the Lord:
"Tell My people I have not given up on them, even if they think they have failed Me or have made a bad mistake in life. Tell them to look to My mercy and tell them to receive My mercy! My mercy is greater than judgment."
I then heard further:
"This is a time to receive a renewed hope, even if you think your situation is hopeless and beyond repair. Look to Me, for I am in the midst of doing a renewal work in many of My people - spirit, soul, and body."
Isaiah 62 is a key chapter in this time and season. It is a chapter that brings a renewed hope to God's people, and it speaks of the Lord who never gives up on His people, even if they think they have failed Him or have made a bad mistake in life.
Here's what the Lord say in Isaiah 62:1-4, 'For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace (keep silent). And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings (shall see) your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. You shall also be a crown of glory... and a royal diadem (crown worn as a sign of royal power)... You shall no longer be called 'Forsaken', nor shall your land any more be called 'Desolate'; but you shall be called 'Hephzibah' (My delight is in her), and your land be called 'Beulah' (Married to the King)'.
See the word 'until' here? He will not give up doing His great work in you until 'your righteousness goes forth as brightness, and your salvation as a lamp that burns'! Even though this chapter refers to Zion, it is also a 'picture' of what the Lord wants to do in His beloved (i.e. you and I, the believers) today.
Jesus came to a 'dead-end road' at the cross (i.e. became 'Forsaken' and 'Desolate'), so now you are called 'Hephzibah' (My delight is in her), and your land be called 'Beulah' (Married to the King)! Indeed, as a believer in the New Covenant, God's delight is in you, and as a people of God, you and I are the 'bride' prepared for the coming of the 'Bridegroom'! (Revelation 21:2)
One amazing passage about God's great love for us (in spite of our sins and mistakes) is found in the book of Hosea. In Hosea 1:2-3, the Lord said to him (Hosea), "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed a great harlotry by departing from the Lord." So Hosea went and took Gomer...
The name 'Hosea' here in Hebrew is from this word 'yasha', meaning 'to set free, to help, to deliver, to save, to rescue', and the name 'Gomer' is from the word 'gamar', meaning 'to end, to cease, to come to an end, to fail, to be gone'. In one way or another, we are all like Gomer - doomed, damned, 'the end', 'goner', if Jesus never come and save us!
Hosea 3:1 then says, 'The Lord said to me (Hosea), "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans."
Notice the word 'again' here? Like Hosea to Gomer, this passage is a 'picture' of God's love towards Israel, and God's love towards His people, even when there are times we have broken His heart with our unfaithfulness, sins, and disobedience (to His voice, leading, and guidance).
Hosea taking Gomer as his wife here speaks of Jesus embracing you (in spite of your sins and mistakes in life). Like Hosea, His love for you never quits, and He definitely hasn't given up on you! The devil (or the enemy) will always want to make you think that God has quit you and has given up on you. And he wants to make you think that you have reached a point beyond repair (a point of no return), and you have come to an end of God's mercy and grace (exhausted God's mercy and grace) in your life!
But the truth is God's desire for you is always mercy, and not judgment; to save you, and not to hurt you! He is a God who longs to show you mercy the moment you return to Him (and His ways). Psalm 145:8 says, 'The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy'. The Bible tells us that His anger lasts only for a moment, but His mercy endures forever.
Note: The word 'mercy' here is pronounced 'kheh-sed' in Hebrew, and it can also mean 'loving kindness'.
Therefore, no matter what your past may be (or what wrong you may have committed), come boldly to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Condemn yourself no more, and let go of those past! He is here to heal you (and restore you), and He wants to give you a 'new name' (which speaks of a 'new character') today, just as it is written in Isaiah 62:2! Take it, and receive it! As you turn a new leaf in your life and receive a fresh new hope, declare that you too will see many more good days ahead of you. In Jesus' name. Amen!
