You Shall Be a Crown of Beauty in the Hand of the Lord

December 27, 2020

Isaiah 62:1-3: "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

The prophet Isaiah continued to proclaim good news to the Jews in exile. For now, they were oppressed in a foreign land, yet God's redemption was coming, and when it came there would be delight. The nation of Israel would be transformed from desolation to redemption. All the nations who had been gloating over them and oppressing them would soon see their glory and know that God worked on behalf of the nation of Israel. They were his chosen and precious people.

Once again, the nation of Israel would find their salvation, righteousness, and rest in the Lord. As his beloved children, the Lord would raise them up on display for all the nations and all the kings of those nations to see. Israel would be crowned. All that had been stripped from them in exile would be restored. Thus, Israel would be that crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in his hand.

God can make broken things beautiful! The nation of Israel was broken and desperately in need of God's intervention. They were broken in the Babylonian exile and they were broken under the Romans when Jesus came to dwell with them. When the Lord works on behalf of his people, there is new life and new hope. God transformed the exiled people to give them a crown of beauty and a royal diadem. God transformed those who were oppressed under the hand of the Roman empire to those who heard the good news that the Messiah had come and that he would make a way for the people to be in relationship with a holy God. God transforms us from having fear of Covid-19 and political unrest to God's redeemed people filled with trust, hope, and peace. The Lord worked and works for his people. He can make anything and anyone beautiful.

Reflection:
Are you allowing God's transformative work in your life today? What do you need him to make beautiful?