The Evil One had a hand in all that has happened to you. If he didn’t arrange for the assault directly—and certainly human sin has a large enough role to play—then he made sure he drove the message of the wounds home into your heart. He is the one who has dogged your heels with shame and self-doubt and accusation. He is the one who offers the false comforters to you in order to deepen your bondage. He is the one who has done these things in order to prevent your restoration. For that is what he fears. He fears who you are; what you are; what you might become. He fears your beauty and your life-giving heart.

Now listen to the voice of your King. This is God’s heart toward you:

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn [until you shimmer],
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory [your beauty];
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand [the crown of creation],
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah [my delight is in her],
and your land Beulah [married];
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
As a young man marries a maiden [he pursues her, romances her] ...
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride [you are lovely],
so will your God rejoice over you. (Isa. 62:1–5, emphasis added)

“But all who devour you will be devoured;
all your enemies will go into exile.
Those who plunder you will be plundered;
all who make spoil of you I will despoil.
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the LORD,
“because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.” (Jer. 30:16–17)

You really won’t understand your life until you understand this:

You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by his Enemy.

And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration. For there is One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your broken heart and restore your soul. Let us turn now to him.

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