Saturday, July 30, 2005

The children of the barren one: Is 54:1

" 'Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; for the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman,' says the LORD." (Isaiah 54:1)
What determines our futures? Is it our past failures or our present weaknesses? This scripture tells us that our future is not determined by either of these things but rather by the grace of God alone. Your spiritual life may not have been fruitful in the past but that does not mean that you will not yield fruit in the future. Your ability to conceive the blessings of God may be non-existent but God is still able to bless you in ways you cannot even fathom. God is not looking to our ability or our track record but simply to His own desire to bless us and to give us the kingdom. God wants to bless us in spite of ourselves in order to demonstrate to the world His love and care for us. We must not falter in faith just because the promises of God seem impossible to us. Consider what Paul wrote about Abraham, "Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." (Romans 4:19-21) Abraham did not deny his present circumstances and his inability to produce an heir, but he knew that the promises of God were not dependent upon these things. He believed that God could do what He had promised, with or without his own personal abilities.

There is a tremendous promise in this scripture: the end of those who have not will be greater than those who have. When we trust in God, our barrenness will be turned into abundance. "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:26-28) Are you weak? Are you foolish? Are you insignificant in this world? If so, then you are a candidate for God to work in and though. God is not looking for highly talented people. God is not looking for people of great ability. Rather, God is looking for willing people who are available and who will believe Him. These are the people whose fortunes are great. Let us confess the same confessions as Paul, "for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

David Robison

1 comment:

  1. Who would have imagined that God would work through something called a "blog?" Amazing.

    I actually found your blog through Google, though I'm a blogger here myself. Today was a particularly painful day. And by no accident, I'm sure, I stumbled across your link. You see, my husband and I have been trying to have children for five years. It is a stronger desire for me (though he does want them) and is consequently a little isolating for me when the grief comes. Your topic and scripture today spoke directly to me. It is clearly the Lord's hand. He has been speaking to me lately through friends and through moments such as this, letting me know He IS here. I know He is, but I have felt so distant from Him and left behind.

    I think it's important to always convey when someone has been a part of the Lord's work. You state that you hope your site is a blessing. It is, David. Thank you.

    -Mary

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