Hephzibah

Katie) I love words, especially learning the meaning of new words. So, this is my word of the week: Hephzibah. Hephzibah means "my delight is in her!" Take a minute and let the meaning of Hephzibah sink in. Observe your hearts natural response to that phrase. Is it difficult for you to receive and internalize that God delights in you? Do you immediately start bringing up reasons why God could never delight in you? What if we actually started to believe that God does in fact delight in us?

The word "Hephzibah" is found in only two places in the Bible. It first was what the God-fearing Hezekiah called his wife. In II Kings 21, we learn that Hezekiah's wife was called "Hephzibah." And Hezekiah could say concerning his wife, "My delight is in her."

The second time that we find the word "Hephzibah" is where God calls His people by that name. I came across this word while reading Isaiah 62:4. In this particular context, God has said that He would take away our rightful name which is "Forsaken," and would call us by a new name, a name which He would choose. Isaiah says, "No longer will they call you Forsaken, or name your land Desolate, but thou shalt be called Hephzibah." The name that God chooses to rename His people is "Hephzibah."

Isaiah 62 makes it very clear who are without God. We are 'forsaken' and 'desolate. When I read this verse in Isaiah, I felt convicted about the places in my life where I am still living from a 'forsaken' or 'desolate' mindset. However, God transforms each of us from someone who is deserted and desolate, into someone who He calls His delight. Are you willing to receive God's new name for you?

The places of desolation within us are real. Perhaps you feel left out of your group of friends. Maybe you’re trying so hard to get that raise, to have that new house, so that you're life appears to be put together. Maybe you’re trying to make your marriage look good to other people—when really you’re struggling. Maybe you simply feel lonely, but no one seems to notice. Whatever it is, Isaiah 62 assures us that God takes notice of these places of desolation within us and still chooses to give us a new name, “Hephzibah.” God's decision to give us a new name, in spite of these real places of desolation within us should give us HOPE. God is not blinded to our brokenness. God also does not lie and therefore would not call us something that He did not actually believe. The problem, therefore, is not with God, it stems from our inability to receive God's new name for us.

God calls you Hephzibah, His delight is IN you.

He also delights in your spouse, friend, family member, co-worker, boss, and even your enemy.

God needs us to receive this new name, not only for our own transformation, but so we can bestow this new name on everyone we interact with. 

What if you actually started to believe today that God does in fact delight in You?