Sing O Barren Woman

“Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. Isaiah 54:1
Do you know what this means? This verse is foundational to understanding salvation, and life. When Isaiah wrote this verse, the woman was Sarai. She was Abram’s wife and had been barren her whole life. Added to her misery was the fact that she had lived to nearly 100 years old! This was very rare in those days. But the blessing of a long life, to Sarai, was not a blessing. Rather, it was just more days and months and years to remember that she never knew the glory of every woman—to bear a child; to bear a son.
When all hope was gone, and bearing a child was physically impossible at her age, the Lord blessed Abram and Sarai with a child—Isaac. The Lord also changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. It was a sign to them that a miracle had taken place, a covenant had been made, and a sign had been given. The miracle was Isaac. The covenant was the promise of a Messiah through Abraham’s offspring. And the sign? She who was barren has given birth. Salvation is coming! It will be by God’s grace. No effort, ability, or choice can bring about salvation: It is by grace alone, through faith alone.
The woman is Rebekah (Isaac’s wife). She is Jacob’s wife, Rachel. She is Mary, wife of Joseph. These were all without child until the Lord made a way. The lineage of Christ is likely filled with many stories of barren women, impotent men, and the glory of God to bring forth a son anyway. Should we be surprised? No! The Lord always keeps His promises.
The woman is the early church, helpless to save itself from persecution by Herod and so many others. But the “awesome” power and authority of Diocletian, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Domitian, and many others was, to God, man’s impotence. By the Spirit’s power, the church grew and spread.
When God performs a miracle in you and then changes your name, He is declaring your new citizenship. The miracle in you is the birth of Christ. In other words, faith in Jesus, taking root within your soul, to save you. Paul wrote to the Galatian church, which had fallen away from this faith:
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” Gal 4:19-20.
Your new citizenship is heaven and your name is Christian; you are no longer an inhabitant of the earth. Truthfully, we should view life in this world as one imagines life in the desert. The following verse declares:
The dragon…pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given two wings of a great eagle so that she might fly to a place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times, and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. Rev 12:14.
The desert is this world, unable to supply what you need as a born again, Spirit-filled Christian. The desert is the body in which your soul–now saved—inhabits. Your life cannot come from this world or your flesh; it must come from the King. The miracle of His Son’s birth in you is also the miracle of your day-to-day life. Life in the desert can be filled with strength, purpose, power, and love if we rely on the One who saved us, and then carried us into the desert to live by His grace. Therefore, burst into song! You have been chosen out of this world, which is destined for destruction. Therefore, shout for joy! You are highly esteemed by God, the Creator of all things. To be desolate in this world is to be abundantly blessed in His kingdom. Each day you may find your life anew, by praising Him, thanking Him, and humbly falling upon the desert sand in worship.