It Won't Go to Waste

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:1-17 (NIV)

Devotional Focus: Isaiah 54:2-3(a) (NIV), "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left."

I initially had planned to stick with the theme of peace for these devotional messages; however, last night while talking to a friend, I found myself saying these words to her, "God is opening every door we have been seeking in the past. It is like something great has been unlocked in the earth and I’m ready to receive all of it. So, I will be praying for God to do what Isaiah 54:2 says, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” In other words, I’m getting in position to have enough capacity to house what God is sending! Nothing will go to waste." (And to answer your question, yes, I talk to my friends like this when I am inspired to do so!)

The last line I wrote, "nothing will go to waste" struck something deep within me and I knew I had immediately tapped into some revelation regarding what I am experiencing in this season and I had to share it with each of you. All of the things we are learning during the time of quarantine, social distancing and surviving a pandemic, have taught us some powerful lessons that will be carried with us into our days ahead. Just like the people Isaiah is addressing in this particular passage, we will enter a new season of life that will be like nothing we have ever experienced before. Isaiah was speaking about the future glory that the nation of Israel would encounter.

Here is a short background on what was happening in Israel during this time. Israel was at the end of their period of exile and Babylonian captivity. They were a short time away from a period of restoration and freedom. They were in a place where their faith is crucial, and they must decide at this point, whose report they will believe. And if they desire increase on the other side of their situation of struggle, they must believe in the report of the Lord. Their story demonstrates what it’s like to be in a place of being past your past, but still waiting to walk in your soon to come. They had not “made it” to the level where God is taking them yet, but God in all His infinite wisdom and power has given them a word of encouragement to help get them out of the place of transition, so that they can get into position to receive the promise of what lies ahead.

Again, I believe we are much like the nation of Israel in this passage. They had encountered one of the roughest seasons of their lives, yet, they were given hope of a brighter day ahead, and a better future. And a part of their preparation for this new season was to gain capacity to have room for what was coming into their lives. If and when you have the strength to do so (because I know we all have good days and bad days), I encourage you to start getting ready to make room for the expansion in your lives by increasing your capacity. It is not by accident that you are learning how to use various forms of technology rapidly. It is not by accident that you are learning how to be more creative regarding reaching masses of people virtually. It is not by accident that you are having to retool to perform your various daily tasks in new ways. By now, I hope you have caught on to understand that what you are going through is increasing your capacity! You needed more capacity so you will learn how to live life without allowing anything go to waste.

Closing Prayer: Dear God, thank you for all the many things you are teaching me in this season. I am grateful for every lesson, and trust that what I am learning will produce increase in every area of my life. Instead of focusing on what has been lost, I am now focused on what I have gained. Thank you for the revelation and reminders of what I have learned in this season.

Daily Reflection: In what areas have you gained capacity in this season?