Isaiah

Isaiah 62: God delights in His redeemed city

Begin in prayer

Before we hear God’s promise to a city once called forsaken, let us bring our needs before Him. Ask Him to teach our family patient prayer and show us the mercy of Jesus, who gathers a people for God’s delight.

He has given food to those who fear him. He always remembers his covenant.

Psalm 111:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us hear Your sure promise and pray with patience. Teach us to trust Jesus and delight in Your saving mercy. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

A determined voice will not remain silent until Zion’s righteousness shines and her salvation burns like a lamp. Nations and kings will see her glory, and God will give her a new name and hold her like a beautiful crown. Forsaken and Desolate will give way to names declaring His delight and the land’s restored belonging. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, God will rejoice over His people. Watchmen must keep praying until He establishes Jerusalem as a praise in the earth. God swears that enemies will no longer consume the grain and wine His people have gathered. A highway must be prepared and a banner raised because salvation is coming to those He will call holy, redeemed and no longer forsaken.

As you read Isaiah 62, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God delights in His once forsaken people, and He promises to save them.

The opening voice promises no silence until the city’s righteousness shines, showing a determined purpose that will not abandon Zion. Shining righteousness and a burning lamp make salvation visible to nations that once saw shame. His people will no longer be called Forsaken, “for Yahweh delights in you, and your land will be married” (verse 4). The wedding picture joins an inhabited land with the joy of a bridegroom, showing God’s pleasure in His restored people. Watchmen must speak to Him continually, asking Him to establish the praise He has promised. Their final names tell how God seeks, redeems and makes holy those once called forsaken.

How does Isaiah 62 show us that God delights in His once forsaken people, and He promises to save them?

God replaces His people’s shame with His delight.

The city will no longer bear the names Forsaken and Desolate. God holds her like a beautiful crown. His joy over her is compared to a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride.

God’s sure promises teach His people to keep praying.

The watchmen are not to remain silent before Him. They must ask until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. His oath makes their hope certain, while their continued prayer expresses dependence.

God seeks and redeems the people He makes holy.

The road is cleared and a banner raised to announce the gathering. Salvation comes with the promised reward. The names Sought out and A city not forsaken declare what God has done for His people.

Memorise

You will be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

Isaiah 62:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what promised mercy should I seek in prayer while trusting the faithfulness of Jesus?

The city once called Forsaken will be known as Sought out through God’s promised salvation. Her new name comes from His redeeming action and delight. The watchmen’s persistent prayers look toward a salvation they cannot produce.

Jesus accomplishes the redemption that brings sinners into God’s people. He was forsaken by His Father for His people, so that they are no longer called Forsaken. He rose, and His sacrifice needs nothing added to secure forgiveness and welcome before God. Those who believe belong to the people He makes holy.

Turn from sin and believe in Jesus. Seek the mercy He gives without treating a family name or religious habit as a substitute for faith. Bring your needs to the Father through the Savior who brings His people near. Keep praying for His saving purpose to be displayed, knowing that His promise rests on His faithfulness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the wedding and new name pictures describe God’s restored people and His delight. His promises call for persistent prayer and personal faith in Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He seeks and redeems a people for His delight, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.

Luke 1:54-55

Faithful God, thank You for seeking people who cannot rescue themselves. Please bring our family to believe in Jesus and receive His redeeming mercy. Teach us to pray patiently for Your promises to be fulfilled. Make us glad in Your purpose, and shape our conduct to honor the holy name You give Your people. Amen.