Isaiah 54:2-3 Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
Myles Munroe said that “the graveyard is the richest place on earth”. It is filled with books that were never written, songs that were never sung and ideas that were never shared as people were afraid of failure and rejected. Unfulfilled potential and lost opportunities and creativity is a result of rigidity. Those who fear stepping and stretching beyond their comfort-zone into the unknown end up burying their talents, ideas, and dreams.
Isaiah prophesies to stretch the tent curtain, lengthen our chords and strengthen our stakes in preparation to fulfilling our calling and commission. Stretching the tent would require uprooting the stakes and replacing the cords. Everyone has the desire to grow deeper, stronger and bolder but increase does not happen without stretching. It would require broadening our influence by disciplined lifestyle, extensive reading, fasting, praying and meditating on the Word of God.
When God called Gideon out of the threshing floor, Gideon had to uproot the stakes, strengthen his chords and step out in faith. He had to demolish the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah poles. He had to overcome timidity and stand-up for the truth to stretch his tent curtain. He strengthened the cords of true worship but tearing down idolatry and revelry.
To accomplish our God-given purpose and commission, we must be willing to uproot meaningless traditions and boldly oppose wrong practices. Expansion requires discipline, deeper commitment and spiritual stability. Our flesh must be brought under subjection if we desire growth. Step out in faith – start the business, witness boldly to your colleague, don’t be afraid to commit to marriage and start a family. Step into the unknown.
Stretch, Strengthen and Solidify:
- Stretch: To stretch, first step-out of your comfort-zone. Be ready to be criticized, ostracized and marginalized for the sake of the gospel and the truth.
- Strengthen: Strengthen your commitment, character and curtain (area of influence).
- Solidify: Solidify the foundation of your faith, fervor and faithfulness.
“Stretching requires stepping out of your comfort-zone”.
Prayer: Father God, open my ears to hear your call and stretch, strengthen and solidify my faith-walk. Amen.
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