In the midst of lavish promises of a beautiful future and restoration, Isaiah 62:6 stands out with the glaring ferocity of a warrior in a ballet class. Verse five is frilly, beautiful, bubbly and sweet, ending with the words “As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you” (NCV), summoning with it memories of all the festive wedding celebrations we’ve been to over the years. So, why then, without warning, does verse six warn, in a quiet and sterling voice, with a knobby finger pointed in our face and a steely penetrating gaze: “Jerusalem, I have put guards on the walls to watch . They must not be silent day or night. You people who remind the Lord of your needs in prayer should never be quiet?” Or, as the Good News Bible has it, “On your walls, Jerusalem, I have placed sentries ; they must never be silent day or night. They must remind the Lord of His promises and never let him forget them?” Why, after promise...
Pressing in, not turning back, growing in faith, not growing slack, ... daring to be restless with anything less than God's best.