It is my habit to read my Bible each morning. My reading plan is to simply read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation much like you would read a novel. I usually get through the Bible in about 9 months, reading an average of two to five chapters each morning. Every new journey through the Bible brings newness and freshness to my relationship with God that was not there the last time I read it. Recently, God literally took my breath and froze me in place with one such revelation from these four verses.

2“The nations will see your vindication and all kings your glory.  Then you will be called by a new name which ADONAI himself will pronounce. 3You will be a glorious crown in the hand of ADONAI, a royal diadem held by your God. 4 You will no longer be spoken of as ‘Azuvah [Abandoned] or your land be spoken of as ‘Sh’mamah [Desolate]; rather, you will be called Heftzi-Vah [My-Delight-Is-In-Her] and your land Be‘ulah [Married].
For ADONAI delights in you, and your land will be married — 5 as a young man marries a young woman, your sons will marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
your God will rejoice over you.”

 Isaiah 62: 2-5 (Complete Jewish Bible)

God held me in place for a long time and both confirmed and convicted me. He wanted me to understand who he was and what he had done for me. He also wanted me to see our relationship means a great deal to him and he wanted to teach me to be a better husband to my perfect helper, Gay.

The book of Isaiah is prophecy as reveled to Isaiah. This means that God would speak to him and then tell him to repeat the message to his people. Isaiah repeated the message in person to the nation of Israel and again to me a few days ago.

The prophesy of Isaiah, up to this point, talked about destruction, famine and death because the people had separated themselves from God. The reality of their existence was that they had been captured, beaten, had their homes destroyed and lived under fear. The nations around them attacked them and saw them as a laughing stock.

But God… Changed reality in favor of his bride. He changed their name from “Abandoned” to “My Delight is in her”. He changed their land from “Desolate” to “Married”. Reality shifted. Why you may ask? For no other reason than the relationship. It was not that the people had repented or done something that pleased God so he returned. He returned to them because of the Married like relationship he had with them.

I believe God was teaching a couple of very important lessons through his treatment of the Nation of Israel as related by Isaiah:

My relationship is more important than my circumstances. I may think that Gay treated me unfairly and that I am justified in my being mad at her. I might give her the silent treatment until she wises up an apologizes to me. Nope, I would be wrong, this scripture tells me I should call her “My delight is in her”. Imagine for a moment God speaking to you by name and that name is “My Delight”. Now that’s a happy thought for both you and for God.  Why not let that also bless you marriage?

My love for my wife should be private AND Public. Notice that in Verse 2 God mentions that the people will see the vindication and that Kings will see their Glory. This means that God’s love for his bride so manifested that it was obvious to all. I need to be sure that my mouth always says great things about my wife. When anyone talks about her, it will be about how loved she is.

I want to challenge you. Today, speak blessings to your spouse. Be sure you are calling them something that says, “I delight in you”. I suggest that you do it out loud, often and where everyone can hear it. I have called Gay “la reina” for years. She had gotten to where she will answer to it. And when she does it is always with a smile.

Be Blessed and love one another,

Chris Broughton