“Rejoice, childless one, who did not give birth; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the forsaken one will be more than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:1 HCSB)
For the guys who read this and assume it’s just a promise for women, it actually was God’s promise to all of His people, so keep reading…
There’s an aspect of God’s power that not many people know about in this promise. A childless woman in those days, was viewed as cursed and rejected by God, a shame to her family and community. She is a metaphor for those who’ve made serious mistakes and let the devil curse them for years. They can easily feel shame and regret for all their wasted time before finding God’s forgiveness. The devil knows that once we’re safe in God’s Kingdom he can’t destroy us, but he’ll try to twist our thoughts to believe that our repentance came too late in the game. “Sure, you’ll make it into heaven when you die,” the devil will tell us, “but until then you’re still a loser. Who’s going to want to marry you now? Why would anyone hire you after all you’ve done?” He can snuff out the joy of our salvation, and even make the hope of heaven turn sour. Once those feelings settle in, it’s pretty easy for him to choke out what faith is left.
Why would God tell this forsaken woman that she’ll have more children than the married one who naturally has children? Because when God restores what Satan has cursed, He restores supernaturally. He goes above and beyond what the world can offer, if we have the faith to take it. This is His promise to those who turn to him. It will be so amazing, they won’t be able to hold back the rejoicing and singing because of what He will do. The devil can say it’s too late, but it’s never too late for total restoration that comes straight from heaven.
A man who has a series of broken relationships in his wake, fathering children without knowing how to be a father, can believe in this promise right now. God won’t rewind time, but He can heal any pain that was caused, and establish such a great bond between this dad and his kids, as if they had always lived in a loving and godly home. A woman who’s struggled with sickness for years and was never able to marry and have a family, can believe in this promise as well. She can expect God to restore joy and love into her life as well as physical healing. She can have such a sense of worth, love and family, as a supernatural gift of God. There will be many other women around her with families who are ungrateful and troubled by their relationships, while she will be strong, free and loved.
People who've suffered years of loss can rejoice, sing and shout for how God snatched back that loss from the hands of the devil, and how he lifted them up as an example of His goodness. God is outside of time, so as long as we are in this world, there is no such thing as too late. This, as well as most promises, doesn't just happen without the effort of faith and determination on the part of God’s people. Make this your prayer and seek out ways to be a part of God’s answer for you.
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