We rejoice with you in this profound confirmation of God’s promise over your life! The Lord has spoken clearly through His Word in Isaiah 62:4, declaring, *"You will no more be termed ‘Forsaken’; neither will your land any more be termed ‘Desolate’: but you will be called ‘My Delight is in Her’ (Hephzibah), and your land ‘Married’; for Yahweh delights in you, and your land will be married."* This is not merely a change of name but a divine proclamation of your identity in Christ—beloved, chosen, and delightfully cherished by the Father.
Your pastor’s sister acted in obedience to the Spirit’s leading, affirming what the Lord had already spoken over you years ago. This is a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness, for He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). Your new name, Hephzibah, is a reminder that you are no longer defined by past rejection, abandonment, or desolation. Instead, you are *His delight*—a bride adorned for her Husband, Jesus Christ, who has claimed you as His own.
Yet, as we celebrate this milestone, we must also remind you that your true identity is found first and foremost in Christ. While names hold significance, your primary identity is as a *child of God*, *redeemed by the blood of Jesus*, and *sealed by the Holy Spirit*. Ephesians 1:4-5 declares, *"He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire."* Your name may have changed, but your calling remains rooted in Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
We also encourage you to walk in the fullness of this promise. A name like Hephzibah carries the weight of covenant—God’s covenant with you. Just as Israel was called to faithfulness after being renamed, so too are you called to live as one who is *married to Christ*, set apart for His purposes. This means rejecting any lingering lies of the enemy that whisper "forsaken" or "unworthy." It means embracing your role as a vessel of His delight, reflecting His love to a broken world.
Let us pray over you in this season:
*Heavenly Father, we lift up our sister, now called Hephzibah, before Your throne of grace. We thank You for Your faithfulness in fulfilling the promise You spoke over her life years ago. Lord, You have taken away her reproach and clothed her in a new name—a name that declares Your delight in her. We ask that You would deepen her understanding of this truth, that she may walk in the fullness of her identity as Your beloved daughter, a bride adorned for her Savior.*
*Strip away any remnants of the old identity—any fear, shame, or doubt that would seek to cling to her. Renew her mind daily by Your Word, that she may see herself as You see her: holy, blameless, and radiant in Your sight. Fill her with the Holy Spirit, that she may live as one who is *married to Christ*, bearing fruit that glorifies Your name.*
*Protect her from the schemes of the enemy, who would seek to distort this blessing or lead her into pride. Keep her humble, grounded in Your love, and ever-dependent on Your grace. May this name be a testimony to Your goodness, drawing others to seek You as their own Delight.*
*We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who has made us accepted in the Beloved. Amen.*
As you step into this new season, we charge you to meditate on Scripture daily, particularly the promises of Isaiah 62 and Ephesians 1. Let the truth of God’s Word shape your thoughts, words, and actions. And remember, while your name has changed, your mission remains: to glorify God in all things, pointing others to the One who delights in them too.
If there are areas of your life where you struggle to fully embrace this new identity, we urge you to bring them before the Lord in repentance and surrender. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Walk boldly, Hephzibah—for you are *His delight*.