In 1797, Timothy Dwight, president of Yale University and a leader of America’s Second Great Awakening, wrote the hymn, I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord: I love Thy Church, O God! Her walls before Thee stand, Dear as the apple of Thine eye and graven on Thy hand. For her my tears shall fall, for her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be given, till toils and cares shall end. Perhaps Timothy Dwight had been meditating on Isaiah 62. Here the prophet is gripped by an awareness that salvation is not going forth from Zion, the city of God. So what does he do? Find a new city? Decide he doesn’t need the city? Abandon the city to pursue his own personal relationship with God? No, he devotes his life to promoting the city and revitalizing it. “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” (v 1). It may have appeared that she was “Forsaken.” The long years of captivity in Babylon had left the Jewish nation feeling as “Desolate” as their homeland had become. But the LORD sees a much brighter future for the people He loves, announcing His new pet name for them: “My Delight Is In Her.” How do you suppose a wife would feel if her husband began introducing her in that way?! This is how Jesus Christ speaks of His bride, the church. If you are in Christ, He delights in you. He rejoices over you! In His eyes, you are “a crown of beauty.” By the grace of God, you are no longer defined by your past; and He is rewriting your future, promising to never leave you or forsake you (v 2-5). So the prophet, setting an example for us all, resolves to never stop praying for the redeemed people of God. Like “watchmen” posted on city walls, we must continue proclaiming the gospel, encouraging one another to remain faithful, and interceding for the LORD to pour out His blessing. Trusting in the promises of His Word, we must “take no rest” as we call out to God, and “give Him no rest” until a revived church has become the praise of the earth (v 6-7). Christ promises His people that they will know life in all its fullness—in His presence and for His glory. The gates of His church are wide open so that all who desire Christ may enter in and enjoy Him. The Savior is coming again, bringing a reward for believers which will more than compensate for any loss we experience now. Despite her flaws and weaknesses, the people of God shall be called “Holy… Redeemed… Sought Out… Not Forsaken” (v 8-12). For further meditation: