Passage: Isaiah 54:1-4
Points:
1. God is calling us to expand our vision.
2. When God casts a vision, we need to prepare.
3. Vision gives hope for our future.
Personalize
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18). In desperate and discouraging times, it is essential to create a vision of faith for the future. Israel found itself facing tremendous difficulties. The exile was a devastating period in their history and they struggled to see the future in a different light. Could they move beyond their circumstances? Could they see a better future beyond the tremendous difficulties faced in the exile? They could not see a better future, but God cast a vision for His people.
Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy,… (v.1) God called on his people to shout, because a better future was on the way. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (v.2) A new day for God’s people was on the horizon. God was casting a faith vision for their future and calling on them to prepare to receive what He was bringing their way.
When faced with a barren time in our lives, we should not loose our faith vision for the future. What are the areas you have lost your vision for the future? Do you think your marriage is at the breaking point and there is no hope? Are your children making bad decisions and it seems there will not be a better day? Do you feel your job is a dead end job with no possibility for a change? No matter what the circumstances, we need to see our future through the lenses of faith. When we see what could be rather than what is, then we are taking the first steps in casting a vision for the future.
Enlarge your tents, because God is bringing something bigger than you could imagine. Allow God to plant a faith vision in your life for your family, workplace, church, and community. Do not allow the disappointments of yesterday defeat you in the future. Keep this verse in mind. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:19-21)
Prayer
Lord, in the times when there is no hope, plant in us a faith vision for the future. We know you are able to bring a new beginning in the areas of our lives. May we be faithful to receive the vision and prepare for what You will accomplish. Lord we know you able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. We know our future is bright when you are the source of our hope and vision.
