If you look at Isaiah 54:1-3/5 you may at first ask, “Is God being cruel here?”

A barren woman in that culture was not only unfulfilled, she was looked down upon, and even considered cursed since children were seen as blessings from God.

The situation is oppressive, the loss of self esteem, self condemnation, envy, bitterness – look what it drove Sarah to do with Hagar.

Look at what is expected of the barren woman.

Sing and shout for joy. And then, from singing, to making physical preparation. Building accomocations for the children to come. Do not hold back in your efforts!

I felt God saying, “You can expect, and order your life for, fruitfulness, in the face of a totally contradictory situation”.

There is simple theology here. God is not cruel. God declared that he is the barren woman’s husband. God is her lover, her saviour and redeemer. Nothing is impossible for the creator of man and all the earth. And it is so appropriate. God is her husband – and he is promising to satisfy a legitimate desire – give her children, make her fruitful!

And you know what? The promise is for you and for me, for everyone who believes in Jesus: Expect fruitfulness in the face of a totally contradictory situation.

Expect to receive in the face of a totally contradictionary experience to date.

The promise is also that a radical shift will take place. For the one who has previously not produced fruit, there is a sudden abundance that overtakes others who had been quite fruitful.

It may be that for you, the barrenness, the area in which you had no success before related to the use of a spiritual gift. In healing, in witnessing or evangelizing, in good works, and so on. No dualism here. It may be barrenness related to your business, your work in the marketplace, or in a particular relationship. Well, expect that to change.

As for many of us in NLV, it is exponential church growth!

I am thankful and grateful that though there is barrenness in some parts of my life, Jesus has finished the work that enables grace to abound to me, and enables me to exchange barrenness for fruitfulness.

I sing and shout for joy at the promise of a huge kingdom break through.

Moving forward by faith, fully trusting in the promises of God, nothing’s going to hold us back!