Good Morning all,
Isaiah 54: 17 reads like this: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."
When you read this whole chapter you see that it's talking about someone who has felt ashamed or even humiliated. Perhaps you've felt like God has turned his eyes from you and left you to fend for yourself, alone. He hasn't. He's telling us in this passage of scripture to make room, your barrenness is over. Your feelings of being a failure, weakness and forsakenness will soon be over. God will return you to your former glory. "Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.." (verse 4)
Sometimes we come to a place where we feel we have disappointed everyone, let everyone down, maybe even ourselves. Perhaps people once had high hopes for us but somehow along the way, we got distracted or took a wrong turn. Perhaps the dreams we had once seem unattainable. Perhaps life just didn't turn out the way we planned and we feel lost to figure out what way to turn next. This whole chapter is for you. If you've returned to God after losing your way, you don't have to be ashamed of your past any longer. You don't have to keep living in the past, consistently being reminded of previous mistakes. That's not you anymore. "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (verse 14)
And then it says in verse 2-3 to begin to prepare. Preparation is an act of faith and like any act of faith it takes action. You need to begin to do something to exercise your faith. "Englarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."
So, I encourage you to read this whole chapter and read the next one, too. Take it to heart and begin to apply it to your life. Begin to exercise your faith. Lay claim on the promises of God. They are for YOU. Not just everyone else, but for YOU. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus". Don't let the devil keep reminding you of your past. Rebuke him. You are a new creature now-born again. That old man is behind you. God CAN still use you and cause your life to bring glory to Him. In verse 17 it says, "This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." You can claim that heritage.
I hope this has encouraged and blessed you.
Isaiah 54: 17 reads like this: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."
When you read this whole chapter you see that it's talking about someone who has felt ashamed or even humiliated. Perhaps you've felt like God has turned his eyes from you and left you to fend for yourself, alone. He hasn't. He's telling us in this passage of scripture to make room, your barrenness is over. Your feelings of being a failure, weakness and forsakenness will soon be over. God will return you to your former glory. "Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.." (verse 4)
Sometimes we come to a place where we feel we have disappointed everyone, let everyone down, maybe even ourselves. Perhaps people once had high hopes for us but somehow along the way, we got distracted or took a wrong turn. Perhaps the dreams we had once seem unattainable. Perhaps life just didn't turn out the way we planned and we feel lost to figure out what way to turn next. This whole chapter is for you. If you've returned to God after losing your way, you don't have to be ashamed of your past any longer. You don't have to keep living in the past, consistently being reminded of previous mistakes. That's not you anymore. "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (verse 14)
And then it says in verse 2-3 to begin to prepare. Preparation is an act of faith and like any act of faith it takes action. You need to begin to do something to exercise your faith. "Englarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."
So, I encourage you to read this whole chapter and read the next one, too. Take it to heart and begin to apply it to your life. Begin to exercise your faith. Lay claim on the promises of God. They are for YOU. Not just everyone else, but for YOU. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus". Don't let the devil keep reminding you of your past. Rebuke him. You are a new creature now-born again. That old man is behind you. God CAN still use you and cause your life to bring glory to Him. In verse 17 it says, "This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." You can claim that heritage.
I hope this has encouraged and blessed you.
