They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the Lord;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

Isaiah 62:12

I want to confess something.  I’m a sucker for those articles that talk about “The Most Desirable Cities in California.”  I always want to see Sacramento towards the top of the list.  Though I did not grow up here, it has been home for me and my family for nine years.  I see it trying to establish an identity, seeking to draw in people from other parts of our country and state.  There have been plans for our downtown waterfront, plans for new professional sports teams, plans for more affordable housing, and more—these are all attempts to be a city that is “sought after.”  

We’ve seen over the past few weeks that God has a heart for the city, especially one in which there has been devastation and brokenness.  Again and again, the people who call on God’s Name are the agents of restoration.  Again and again, God renames His people to fit their new identity as ones that accomplish His mission of rebuilding.

This may be unfamiliar territory for us in our journey of faith. But when we read Isaiah 62: 1-12, we see a foreshadowing of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us: salvation, a new name, a bridegroom and a bride. And one day, we trust that when He returns, we indeed will see a new city that looks like a garden, and God’s dwelling place will be with us. To be clear, we don’t hasten His return by doing the work of restoration in our cities. But we are clearly called to restore what is broken to show the heart of God, who is With and For Us and His creation.

Grace and peace,

David