Rev. J. Loren Russell
Isaiah 54:1-4, 17 (NLV)
“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth!
Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor.
For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood.”
“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
When the book of Isaiah was written, somewhere between 700-690 BC when childless women were viewed as being punished by God or suffering the consequences of their sin. The comparison here is to the nation of Israel who became barren because of her sinfulness. But Isaiah tells them to sing songs of praise and redemption despite their barrenness. He says they should break into loud and joyful singing because the Lord was going to restore His covenant promise to them.
Isaiah tells them that they were going to be blessed abundantly and would expand to the right and the left. They were told to enlarge their homes and spare no expense in doing so. They would soon be “bursting at the seams” with children and descendants who will occupy other nations and resettle ruined cities. Not only would they be fruitful again, but Isaiah also tells them that no weapon formed against them would be successful, and“every tongue which rises against them in judgment, they would silence”.
Like the Israelites, there is a lot of spiritual barrenness in believers today. Some might argue that spiritual barrenness is more widespread now than it was in Isaiah’s time. There is a lot of profession of faith, but not a lot of practice, confession without conviction, faith spoken but not lived. But the God who gave grace, showed compassion, extended mercy and gave victory to the Israelites is the same God who wants to be gracious to His people today. He wants us to know that He has not abandoned us, and that we too must sing joy and redemption songs while in the throes of despair. Every foe will be defeated, every weapon destroyed, and every tongue that speaks against us will be silenced. The same assurance that was true for them is true for us.
You can walk into your future with boldness. Know that the God who took away the barrenness and strengthened Israel so that they gave birth to many children and were victorious in battle, is the same God who has redeemed, blessed and gave you victory in all your endeavors. “These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” This is your heritage also. Stress Less, trust more…,
Live Blessed!
Matters of Faith 
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