Rejoice, O Barren

Galatians 4:27 …“Rejoice, O barren, u who do not bear! Break forth and shout, u who are not in labor…
 
Barrenness. What a painful and frustrating condition. Yet, in Isaiah 54, God’s Word 2 those who are experiencing barrenness is 2 rejoice — “Sing O barren”!

Why? Because in the previous chapter, it tells us that the chastisement for our peace fell upon Jesus. (Isaiah 53:5) The word “peace” here in Hebrew means completeness, soundness, health, safety and provision. In other words, all these benefits are yours today because Jesus has already been punished at the cross for your peace. That is why u can start rejoicing.  So God wants u right now, in whatever area u are barren, 2 start rejoicing as if the fruit or yield u want 2 see has already come. He wants u 2 start thinking, speaking and acting as if the barrenness is no more.

If u are financially barren, start planning 4 what u would do when your finances increase. I am not saying that u go out and spend recklessly, but start making plans 4 increase. The time 2 do this is when u are still in what your natural eyes see as a barren stage.

You may say, “Pastor Prince, u don’t understand, the banks are chasing me!”

God says, “Rejoice bcoz u are well provided for in Christ.” In Christ, u are already blessed with every spiritual blessing, including financial provision. (Ephesians 1:3) “For u know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that u through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

If u are sick, start planning 2 do what u have not been able 2 do. Don’t rejoice only when the healing manifests and the pain is no more. Rejoice now in your healing bcoz Jesus has already borne your diseases and carried your pains, and by His stripes u have already been healed. (Isaiah 53:4–5)

Whatever barren situation u are in, rejoice and tell God, “Father, bcoz of the sacrifice of Your Son, I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. You have already given me everything. So I am going 2 act like it is so and rejoice!”

The Sure Symbol Of God’s Love

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Imagine this scenario: Your car tire blows and u are late 4 work. At the office, u find out that someone else got the promotion u had been hoping for. Then, u receive a call from home informing u that your kitchen pipes are leaking again. Before long, u hear a voice telling u, “If God loves u so much, how come all these things are happening 2 u?”
Perhaps u are asking the same question today and wondering if God really loves u. Well, I want u 2 know that u must never judge God’s love 4 u based on your circumstances. No, look at the cross instead! The cross is the sure symbol of God’s love 4 u. It is at the cross that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.

A teenager learnt that the cross indeed spoke of how much God loves her. At one point in her life, she was contemplating suicide as the only way out of her loveless, messed-up life. She had intended 2 take some pills with a lethal dose of alcohol. She was all ready 2 die when she started clicking aimlessly on some MP3 songs on the Internet. And of all the songs that were on her screen, she picked a beautiful song written by one of our church musicians.

The lyrics of the song, sung by one of our church vocalists, spoke of being held by God’s love and being treasured in His sight. They touched this teenager. Sensing that an awesome God with His amazing love was reaching out 2 her, she abandoned her plan 2 kill herself. Not long after that, she found our church and even met the person who had sung the song. She eventually came 2 know how much God loves her and how He has demonstrated His love 4 her through the cross.

Beloved, when u look at your life and find yourself wondering if God really loves u, look 2 the cross and see God’s outstretched arms. It will remind and reassure u of how much He loves u!