Hephzibah and the King

Hephzibah—I haven’t looked, but I’m guessing that the name did not make the top 10 list of baby girl names for 2011. After learning the meaning of the name, maybe people will feel differently about it. Hephzibah means my delight is in her, and it’s found in Isaiah 62:4. The verse says,

No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,
and your land Beulah;
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.

The passage in Isaiah is referring to God’s covenant love for His people Israel and makes a promise to bring them back to the land of Israel from their captivity in Babylon. It’s a passage of restoration.

This past year I have felt restored; I have learned that the Lord delights in me! It has been a remarkable revelation. I knew that He did intellectually, but this year I have learned it with my heart. How? I have spent the last nine months being blown away by His word.

A friend encouraged me last summer to read the One Year Chronological Bible. I had struggled through the One Year Bible before and finished it in two years. (Speedy aren’t I?) I really didn’t expect that this would be any different. I was wrong! I started in January and was soon hooked. The story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Things that I had struggled to grasp began to fall into place and I found myself gaining a deeper understanding of God’s word and a deeper, more intimate love for Jesus. I honestly cannot wait to spend my time with Him in the mornings. I just love getting up when everyone else is asleep, grabbing a big cup of coffee, snuggling up in my special chair, lighting a candle, and turning the pages of God’s word. I can’t wait to see what He will show me each day.

So why am I telling you all of this, and why am I starting this blog? It is my prayer for you that God’s word will grab you too. I pray that you will delight to jump out of bed and rush to spend time with your King to see what He will show you each day. I pray that you will see how He delights in you and as you see that, you will delight in Him.

A friend of mine has also been reading through the One Year Chronological Bible this year. It has been such a blessing to be able to call her and say, “What did you think about this morning’s passage?” or “I couldn’t believe. . . .” There has been a definite sense of community in being able to share God’s word with one another. I’m starting this blog so that those of you who will be joining me as we move into the New Testament will have a means of making comment about what we are reading. Sometimes we may want to share a word that encouraged us while other times there will be something that we do not understand at all. My only rule for comment is that it be edifying and Christ honoring.

So back to Hephzibah. It’s never really been one of my favorite names—until recently. I think now that if I could change my name, it just might be to Hephzibah. It thrills my soul to know that the King delights in me. How I have learned this year to delight in Him and in His word! I pray for all of us Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” May those desires always be for Him! Welcome to Hephzibah and the King.