By Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Luke 4:16-21, 1 Peter 2:9-10
When I first read today’s passages, I had several questions. I didn’t go to seminary and often struggle to understand Old Testament prophecy, so I asked my favorite Bible nerd, my husband Noah, to help. Together, while driving to the lake, we asked questions, listened to commentaries, and read these passages aloud (to clarify: I read them—he kept his eyes on the road).
Just as we wrestle to understand Scripture, we also wrestle to walk daily in our restored identity as God’s children—the main idea in Isaiah 62. Identity is relevant to every season of life, no matter how many degrees we hold or how much wisdom we’ve gained through the years. This is because it’s threatened by so many competing narratives in our culture.
In Isaiah 62:11, we read: “Look, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, ‘Say to Daughter Zion: Look, your salvation is coming, his wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him.’” Living on the other side of this declaration, we now trust that Christ—our salvation—has come. Through His life and death, Jesus redeemed our identity. This cannot change. But it’s our responsibility to become more attuned to this truth each day, rooting ourselves deeply in this reality.
Being a writer, word choices matter deeply to me. So what stands out from Isaiah’s prophecy is the language used to describe you and me. First, we have the phrase, “My Delight Is in Her” (Isaiah 62:4). Then at the end of this chapter is a really lovely statement of identity: “And they will be called the Holy People, the LORD’s Redeemed; and you will be called Cared For, A City Not Deserted” (v.12). These are terms of endearment. They express God’s love and commitment to us—just beautiful!
If we freely walked in this identity each day, how differently we would speak and think about ourselves. I, for one, wouldn’t despair so easily about not being invited to a prayer group or a book club—actions that historically lead me to believing I’m unloveable. An identity aligned to God’s truth changes our presence in a room and peace of mind.
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,” writes Peter in 1 Peter 2:9. I pray that when we’re tempted to doubt or side-step our true identity, the Spirit will remind us what’s true. Mercy covers every insecurity, every doubt, every moment of rejection or word of negative self-talk that perpetually tries to drown the voice of love. Today is a new day. Let’s walk with a healthy confidence in our identity as God’s beloved daughters and sons.
Written by Bailey Gillespie
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