GOD IS ABLE (Part 1)

THINGS CAN GET BETTER

TEXT: ISAIAH 54:1-3

INTRODUCTION: Many people die before receiving their miracles because of loss of hope. When we lose hope, we tend to conclude that nothing more could be achieved in our situation.

This message is coming to us today to make us know that it is just too early to given up. Things Can Still Get Better .

      I.            YOUR LIFE CAN BE MORE FRUITFUL

a.      Barrenness is one difficult situation we face in life. Whether it is connected to the fruits of wombs or ‘fruits of hands’; barrenness is such a difficult situation to grapple with.

b.     We are here reassured that God can cause the barren to break forth with singing by the reason of what He will do in their lives (Isaiah 54:1).

c.      God is able to make a fruitless and barren life very fruitful and productive—Isaiah 49:17-20

   II.            YOUR TENTS ARE EXPANDABLE—ISAIAH 54:2

a.      In the patriarchal age, most of the Israelites lived in tents. The tents were made of “hand-woven, three-feet-wide strips of dark goats' hair. When more family members needed to be accommodated, additional strips could be sown on.”[1]

b.     With this imagery of expandable tent; the prophet called the attention of his audience to the fact that their present dwelling place could be bigger.

                                                             i.      They were not to remain narrow-minded. If they could see the possibility of expanding their tents, it would be easier for them to see the possibility of having a better life.

                                                           ii.      In the same way, we must see the possibility of a better life if we must achieve it.

1.     It is only what the eyes of our minds can see that our hands can possess—Gen. 13:14

2.     If we can behold it, we can become it!

                                                        iii.      Develop a mental picture of a better you and you will achieve it.

III.            YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN YOU CAN CONTAIN—ISAIAH 54:3

a.      Still using the patriarchal image of the tent, Isaiah shows that as a mother who has been blessed with many children, Zion will need a spacious tent to accommodate the increase the Lord will bring upon her.

                                                             i.      The captivity brought about desolation upon every family in Israel and upon Israel as a nation. Houses, palaces, companies, factories were all destroyed and rendered desolate. God here assured them that he could make them so numerous again.

                                                           ii.      The effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on our economy as a nation, church and family could be so overwhelming. God, however, is able to make us many times bigger and better.

b.     God so increased the sons of the prophets under the Leadership of Prophet Samuel that the place they dwelt could not take them. This led them into looking for a more spacious place by all means, that, those who did not have axes had to borrow, to ensure they create more rooms for their growth. 2 Kings 6:1-7

c.      God has promised to give us blessings beyond what we can contain if we can serve Him in absolute faithfulness—Malachi 3:10

CONCLUSION: Having seen that things could get better; I believe you don’t want to give up anymore. May the Lord strengthen our trust in Him and help us to continue to serve Him in absolute faithfulness until things get better for us!

PRAYERS:

1.     That God will revive our hope and trust in Him

2.     That God will help us to serve Him in absolute faithfulness so He will cause His good promises to come through in our life

3.     That God will cause us to be fruitful and productive in every area we need it beyond our imagination.

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[1] IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, Copyright © 2000 by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas. Published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.)