I was looking for a parking space in a very crowded car park, when suddenly, near the front, a car pulled out in front of me. I quickly turned on my indicator, eager to pull in, and whispered a prayer of thanks. But as I began to do so, I read the sign displayed in front of that space: ‘Parking For Expectant Mothers ONLY.’
I hit the brakes. And just sat there for a moment, before shifting into reverse. ‘For Expectant Mothers ONLY’. Who knew a car park could be so cruel? ‘No barren women allowed.’ The sign could have said: ‘For women whose bodies work right. For women who have had their prayers answered. For women who have something to look forward to. For women with something to expect.’
I still remember it so well. That longing. That wanting to ‘expect’ something. Or someone. I used to walk through the Barnes & Noble book store and see that giant ‘Parenting’ section near the Children’s Books Department. And the rows and rows of ‘What to Expect’ books. I remember the feeling that I had nothing to expect. ‘Because, I expected to be pregnant by now. I expected a lot of things. By now.’
But if you are barren today, I want you to know you have something to expect. You have Someone to expect. And He is Almighty God. And He’s coming for you.
My prayer for you today is that you would know His love, and know His nearness, and know His mercy. Because He just wants to pour it out on you like never before. He says:
‘ “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not laboured with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD’ (Isa.54:4).
‘“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you’ (Isa.54:10).
‘O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your
stones with colourful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires’ (Isa.54:11).
First, He tells you to sing. And then, He gives you the reasons to sing:
1. Because you will not be ashamed.
2. You will not be disgraced.
3. My kindness will not depart from you.
4. My covenant of peace will not be removed from you.
5. I’m going to comfort you and lay a foundation for you. In precious stones.
He’s saying: everything you have grieved, all your sorrow, disappointment, despair – I’m going to remove it. And I’m going to redeem you. I’m going to redeem your life. I’m going to pour out my mercy on you, and show you everlasting kindness.
Now that is something to expect.
God knows better than anyone exactly how you feel in this moment. Can you hear his tender love in Isaiah 54:11? He’s saying: I am with you! I am for you! As long as you put your trust in me, you will NEVER be disappointed!
So, sing barren one! Break forth into singing and cry aloud! You were not meant to be silent. You were not called to pine away in despair. You were made to sing, lift up your voice, because of God. And because of the mercy and everlasting kindness He pours out on you.
When the barren sing, something powerful happens. When the barren sing, the darkness trembles. When the barren sing, Satan shudders. The silence is broken. Despair and heaviness leave. Emptiness becomes full. Dead places become alive. Hardened hearts turn to flesh. Clenched fists open wide in surrender with joy, joy, joy. Laughter is restored. Like the sun warming your skin. Hope. Peace. Rest in the Holy Spirit.
When the barren sing, heaven breaks through. So sing.
