Daily Devotion
Tuesday 22nd September
Isaiah 54 – GOD’S PROMISE FOR FRUITFULNESS AND BLESSING
This scripture is a beautiful promise of encouragement and affirmation to God’s people. If you have
served God faithfully, but you feel discouraged, if you feel that your effort thus far has not borne any
fruit, if you feel that you have been despised or looked down upon, this promise is for you.
God tells the “barren woman” to sing and shout for joy, because God will give her the desire of her heart
and gift her with more children than she can imagine (v1). This is a prophecy for the increase and
expansion of the nation of Israel through the birth of many children, and a promise that the city would
be rebuilt. The barren woman could also mean a person or a church that is feeling discouraged,
unfulfilled or foolish. Perhaps you feel foolish and discouraged for putting your trust in God for so long,
but you have not experienced the results that you expected? If you are feeling discouraged, remember
that God has big plans for you. It says in 1 Corinthians 1:21-23, “God was pleased through the
foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe … but we preach Christ crucified, a
stumbling-block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” God promises that our number will be greatly
increased, and that many will be “born” into the Kingdom of God.
God encourages us to be courageous, to “enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes” (v2). God promises that the
descendants of the barren woman will spread out to the right and to the left. God promises that we do
not have to be afraid and we do not have to fear disgrace (v4). We will forget the shame and reproach of
our past and we will be reconciled to our God. For the Lord our God is our Maker and He is sovereign
over all the earth (v5). God Himself is our “husband” (v5). We are eternally committed to Him and He
has promised that He will bless us with much fruit (children in the literal sense as well as fellow believers
who will be “born again” through their faith in Jesus Christ). He acknowledges our past struggles and our
future challenges. He promises to have compassion on us. God tells us that He is our Redeemer (v8).
This is a promise to save us from destruction through sin and death. Instead, we will be established in
righteousness (v14) and vindicated by the Lord (v 17).
He promises that His unfailing love for us will not be shaken and His covenant of peace will not be
removed (v10). We will have nothing to fear, for whoever attacks us will surrender to us (v15). After all,
God created everything, even Satan, and he will allow no weapon forged against us to prevail (v16). We
will be able to refute every tongue that accuses us (v17) – the very lies of the enemy will be rejected!
For this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from God!
Self-reflection
Do you feel unfulfilled? Do you limit what God can do through you, because of fear or discouragement?
Are you feeling discouraged because you have failed in the past? Do you need to be reconciled to God
and remember His promises to you? Meditate on this scripture and understand the full measure of
God’s promises. There is no need to give in to fear or doubt. God, the Almighty creator of everything in
heaven and earth, is your vindicator! He knows your pain, He understands your fears, and He promises
to be with you through it all. We should not be afraid to establish ourselves in Him. We do not have to
be held back because we know that we have God as our protector. His love and promises are all the
validation that we need.
Suggested prayer
Lord God, thank you for your amazing promise to protect me and save me, to have compassion on me
and to love me. Help me to live my life in the assurance and victory that you have won for me. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
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