I was reading today in Isaiah 62 and was struck by God's feelings toward His people, the Jews. After all they've been through, after all their spiritual failures, and dabbling with other gods, God reaches out to them and restores them to Himself. He exclaims in verse 5, "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."  The very thought that the God of the universe, the Holy One who tolerates no sin, actually finds imperfect people a source of joy is stunning.

I immediately remembered ho wI felt yesterday morning. As I lay in bed, the sun shining through the window and birds singing back & forth to one another outside my open window, I put my arm around my wife, who had snuggled up to sleep next to me and prayed - she was mine and I was her's. Contentment and joy filled my soul.

Verse 4 reads, "for the LORD will take delight in you."  Before that, verse 3 sings out, "You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

If God feels THAT way about a wayward group of people, how much does He feel the same toward me - One who He has chosen and connected to His Beloved Son?

Stunned once again by His grace.