Israel, you are not forsaken…
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness. Then my enemies will see that the Lord is on my side. They will be ashamed that they taunted me, saying, “So where is the Lord – that God of yours?” With my own eyes I will see their downfall; they will be trampled like mud in the streets.
In that day, Israel, your cities will be rebuilt, and your borders will be extended.
People from many lands will come and honor you – from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt, from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River, and from distant seas and mountains. But the land will become empty and desolate because of the wickedness of those who live there.
O Lord , protect your people with your shepherd’s staff; lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in a thicket on the heights of Mount Carmel, let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago.
“Yes,” says the Lord , “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.” All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power.
They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them. Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear him greatly, trembling in terror at his presence.
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago. (Micah 7:8-20 NLT)
Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.
The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord ’s own mouth. The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see – a splendid crown in the hand of God.
Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.
Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. (Isaiah 62:1 – 62:5 NLT)
Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.
O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord . Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.
The Lord has sworn to Jerusalem by his own strength: “I will never again hand you over to your enemies. Never again will foreign warriors come and take away your grain and new wine. You raised the grain, and you will eat it, praising the Lord . Within the courtyards of the Temple, you yourselves will drink the wine you have pressed.”
Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. The Lord has sent this message to every land:
“Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’”
They will be called “The Holy People” and “The People Redeemed by the Lord .” And Jerusalem will be known as “The Desirable Place” and “The City No Longer Forsaken (Isaiah 62 NLT)
Israel is always in the news. And though much of the world is totally against this tiny nation (geographically speaking), The Lord God has not forgotten the Covenant He made with Abraham many years ago.
Israel, the Name hated by the world but loved by their Creator. After all, it was Abraham’s God Who changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Israel, one who has fought with God and with man, and prevailed. (Genesis 32)
Israel, the nation God used to bless the world! The word He spoke to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3 NLT)
Israel. Though nations are trying to pick it apart, as one would pick chicken off a bone, their trouble will last for a brief moment longer. As Ezekiel has said, over and over in his prophetic writings, “then shall they know I am The Lord God.” When? After The Lord has miraculously delivered them from their enemies.
Israel, the apple of God’s eye. And though His eye has cried over the condition of His beloved: the rejection, rebellion, and ruin throughout the years; He has kept Israel in the deepest place of His heart.
Israel, as certain as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you are The Nation of The Covenant. You are “Bethel” (house of bread) to the world. The Grace and Truth God poured into you, and through you, has eternally affected millions of people.
Israel. Some would say you are separated, divorced, from your God. Some would say your sins have declared you unfit for the Holy God. But you will find His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. You will discover His faithfulness far greater than your transgressions.
Israel. You will soon witness the saving power of The Lord, your Maker. You will recognize Him as He comes to you with healing in His wings. You will stand firm, as His everlasting arms support you. You will come to know the Name of Abraham’s Ram that was caught in the thicket; the One that was slain in Isaac’s stead. And you will cry out, “the Lord, my Provider!”
Israel, your Banner and Shield is covering you once again. He is your Shepherd and will see you through to the end.
Israel, rejoice! For the end will be your beginning!
Israel, you are not forsaken.
Jan Grace 