“You will be called a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow…. You will no longer be called deserted or desolate…… You will be called Hephzibah” Isaiah 62:2, 4
What names do you call yourself? It is very easy to buy into the lies of the evil one in the midst of difficult circumstances. Oftentimes, you and I allow our situations to define us. In the process we often feel abandoned, lonely and rejected. We may call ourselves names like unloved, unworthy, broken, deserted, desolate, failure, forsaken,and not good enough. I too have been there. The good news is that we have an advocate, our Heavenly Father who loves us deeply. He wants to restore our broken places and give you and I a new name. When the children of Israel were in exile, they felt abandoned and rejected. Life was hard. In Isaiah 62, God reminded the children of Israel of His love and His everlasting presence with them in the midst of their exile. He promised restoration and rebuilding of the ancient ruins. The same God sees you and knows of your difficult situation. He calls you by a new name–confidence, chosen, blessed, beloved.
Friends, we must quit believing the lies and simply walk in the truth of who God says we are in Him. Reject the negative names you call yourself and embrace your new identity in Christ. You and I are no longer deficient but blessed. God delights in you! He rejoices over you with singing. He calls us Confidence, Beloved, Chosen and Blessed. This is good news!
May the words of this song based on Isa. 62:2 bless and encourage your heart.
I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, Outcast, Lonely, or Afraid.
I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, Joyfulness, Overcoming One,
Faithfulness, Friend of God,
One Who Seeks My Face.
Lyrics by D. J. Butler (1987)
Take a listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyCAIA3mIMI&noredirect=1
