Text: Isaiah 54:1-5
As we conclude the 2018 OVERCOMERS Conference, we need to apply our theme “MORE, LORD” to Operation REAP. We are in the mid-term of our 5 years Evangelism and Missions PROGRAMME called, Operation REAP. As we pray, MORE LORD, God will also want us to extend our desire and prayer to possess the Seven Mountains of the society. God wants the Church to possess the Mountains of Politics and Governance, Business, Family, Religion and Media, Arts and Entertainment. God’s desire is to transform our nation, Nigeria.
The prophecy in Isaiah 54:1-5, refers to Israel, but the principles apply to us today. In this prophecy, God promised Israel fruitfulness and growth. She was told to get ready for a great increase in number. Israel was likened to a barren woman without a child. God promised her that the desolate places would be inhabited. She would even inherit the nations and be a blessing to the whole earth. Just as God promised Israel fruitfulness, so has he promised us increase and fruitfulness. Let us remember the prophecy that came through Rev. Ekkehard Hofig based on Gen.49:22-26.
As Israel was barren so there is barrenness in many areas of the Church and in many areas in our personal lives. Again, just as God promised Israel that her barrenness would be turned to fruitfulness, so he has promised to turn our barrenness around to fruitfulness. Those who are barren spiritually and physically and believe God for fruitfulness must take certain steps of faith to prepare for the increase that God would bring.
First, they are to “sing aloud.” This is an act of faith. Why should the barren sing? Normally barrenness causes a woman to mourn, not sing. It takes a lot of faith for a barren woman to continuously sing when she does not have a child. But in Isaiah 54:1 God says, “sing”. God was indirectly saying to Israel, “I have the ability to transform your barrenness to fruitfulness, so you better sing.”
Two, why sing? Israel sang because “more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman.” This means Israel sang because fruitfulness is coming. Glory days are ahead of the Church. God is going to cause a great time of harvest and fruit-bearing to come to his Church. Fruitfulness is coming to each one of us and to HAC. The God we serve is a fruitful God. He wants us to be fruitful and not be barren.
Three, if we believe in the coming harvest, we must “Enlarge.” God said to Israel, “Enlarge.” It is unimaginable that a barren woman would enlarge her dwelling when she doesn’t even have a child. But God said to Israel, “Enlarge.” To enlarge speaks of increasing your capacity. You enlarge in “storage capacity” and “channel capacity.” You also can enlarge your vision for fruitfulness. You can enlarge your faith for fruitfulness. You can enlarge your ability to give to Missions and Evangelism. Jabez prayed to God, “Enlarge my territory” and God answered him (1 Chro.4:10). Noah prayed to God to enlarge Japheth, and today his descendants have been increased (Gen.9:27).
Four, “Stretch” the curtains of your habitation. If we expect fruitfulness then We must stretch ourselves. Through Evangelism, Missions, fasting and prayer. Stretching is rigorous and painful.
Five, “ Spare not” Spare not in resources, spare not in time. This calls for the sacrifice of time, money, convenience. Put in all you can and have to prepare for what is coming.
Six, “Lengthen your Cords”. Intensify your efforts. Training your selves, etc
Seven, “Strengthen thy stakes”. This means prayer. Build an altar like Abraham did in Genesis 13. Prayer strengthens
These SEVEN ACTION STEPS would result in what follows in verse 3: “For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.” (Isaiah 54:3 NKJV).
Imagine the transition from barrenness to the inheritor of nations! Only God could bring this to pass. Our fruitfulness must extend to the nations.
Some of our requests for MORE may not be granted by God because we have asked out of selfishness. Some of our requests have not been Kingdom based. God wants those who would use their blessings to extend his kingdom in the nations. In Isaiah 45:1-5, God promised to subdue nations before Cyrus and to release the hidden riches of secret places to him. God’s resources are often given to those who would use it for the purpose of his kingdom and not for selfish ends.
Presently, He’s Alive Chapel have Churches in Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Ukraine. Let us believe God for more nations. Let us pray that the God of fruitfulness will make all our mission fields to be fruitful.
