the.Calhouns.: The Word

Monday, November 10, 2008

Start singing and expect GOD.

This past Sunday are pastor preached on Isaiah 54:1-5. Man. It rocked my socks off.

The verses are as follows:

1 Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the LORD.

2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.
4 "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

5 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.

These verses describe Israel at a time of need and desperation for their country. Isaiah, a prophet, starts off by telling them to start singing and prepare for the fruits and blessings the Lord WILL give them I don't know about you but in the hard times singing is not my first response. I usually sing when I have had a good day, not when life looks bleak. I love this command. Isaiah says SING, get your heart ready and prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Next he tells them to broaden their tents to prepare for God to work in their lives. Enlarge their tents? What a phenomenal thought! God is telling them to stop limiting him and broaden their scope of what they believe he is capable. Add on to your house and make a suite for God because GOD WILL work in their lives. It is about EXPECTING our Saviour to work. Wow. If you are a child of the King, then God is working in your life! Have you broadened your tent? Made elbow room for God? Are you expecting GOD to grow your life? your business? your marriage? your family? As my pastor referenced in the sermon on Sunday morning. Don't fall into "stinkin' thinkin" as Zig Zigler would say.

And lastly, he tells them to dig the stakes of their tent deep. Dig deep in the Word which is your foundation and get ready. Get ready because God will come. Dig the cords of your tent deep because storms will come and those strings will be pulled but as long as they are in the foundation of the Word they will not be ripped up. Also be prepared to stay a while because God is not bound by the time of man.

This passage and sermon spoke strongly to me about the passing of my friend, Jill. I shared with my husband that throughout my grief I have had the passing and casual thought "O I am sure God will work out something great because that is who he is...." It was like a sad Sunday school answer. What a disgrace and disregard to the power of my Father. I have not set out with the EXPECTATION, with a song-filled heart, tent-broadening thoughts and my pegs dug deep knowing that my father will work an amazing work through the loss of a sweet friend. As I prepare to start singing, one song continually comes to my mind. I feel that I can truly relate to this song at this season of my life.

How can I [we] keep from singing? by Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You

Knowing You'll see me through

And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing 'cause You pick me up

Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

[Just like Jill is doing at this very moment. Amazing]

As it was stated in Jill's funeral. If God can take the worst event in history, the murder of his son, and turn that into the saving grace of mankind then we know and EXPECT with a singing heart, our tents broadened and our stakes dug deep that he is capable of amazing work in the loss of Jill.

CEC.

[If you would like to view the Celebration of Jill's life (funeral), click here]

Here are a couple pictures of Jill that I scanned in this evening. Sorry for the quality of the picture, I guess scanning in old photos on my ancient computer was not an excellent mix.