July 29, 2024
Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.
- Isiah 54: 1
What does it mean to be barren? While barrenness is commonly associated with infertility, it can also describe droughts in various areas of life. It means a lack of productivity. This could be in a person’s profession, spirituality, finances, and more. Of course it could also mean biological barrenness as well. To be barren, overall, is a state of lacking a vital and spiritual necessity.
In our Bible reading, God commands us to sing during seasons of barrenness. As human beings, this can be a very challenging commandment to follow. Yet there are immense benefits that come from adopting singing and praise even while we experience barrenness. Why should we rejoice and sing in a period of barrenness?
Firstly, because God has commanded it. It is important to understand the God we serve. He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He (Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV). To sit in sadness and cry over what we do not have is to doubt the power that God wields. But singing during unproductive or dry times is a demonstration of obedience to God, and He honours the obedience of His children.
Secondly, singing in seasons of barrenness improves our mood and increases our faith. When we sing, we shift our energy, our outlook as well as our focus. This not only helps us feel better, but it can lead to God’s divine intervention. In II Chronicles 20:21-22, Jehoshaphat’s use of praise in battle led to a divine victory, showing that praise can invoke God’s intervention and strengthen our faith in His deliverance.
Thirdly, we should sing because God has promised that more are the children of the barren than those of married women. This means that we will experience mind blowing testimonies that will look like a dream if we keep praising God in times of difficulty. Singing in this sense is a celebration of God’s promise of an incoming abundance.
It is easy to assume that we need to remind God to be God by constantly repeating our prayer points daily but our main purpose on earth is it praise Him. He knows our names, our location, our thoughts and pain points. He is faithful and just and will never forsake us. Why don’t you trust in the Lord by praising Him? Even when you feel down, lean not on your own understanding. Instead, sing o barren! Praise Him and remind Him of all He has done and all He can do and watch Him open closed doors for you. When we are feeling downcast, may we remember to praise God fervently and experience His deliverance in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Song of Worship
Great is thy faithfulness 2x.
Morning by Morning, new mercies I see– 1x.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided - 1x.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! – 1x.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You for all that You have done for me. I cannot recite all that You have done for me because You are mighty and Your works in my life are all good. Even when I experience lack, please give me the strength to praise You from everlasting to everlasting in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Psalms 51-53; Romans 2