Some years back, we sent our then nineteen year old daughter, Dayspring, on a camping trip with some of her friends...
We packed her car with all the family camping gear…however…when the fledgling adventurers reached their destination…ahem… they realized that they didn't have the tent poles. You know…those poles you stake into the ground, that keep the whole enchilada up?
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
Isaiah 54:2
This verse is at the start of some beautiful promises from God to the nation Israel…to us, who in Christ...inherit the Promised Land’s promises as our own.
The context of this verse declares the great expansion of God’s Kingdom…and it applies so richly to our lives in Him…nevertheless…to expand tent stakes…they first have to planted firmly in the area they were originally intended.
In others words…before Jesus can expand His life and ministry in us…well…we may need to accept, rejoice, and find the effervescent power of the Holy Spirit in our everyday…where…He has us…now. He won’t give us the “more” we want, if we haven’t discovered His presence in our “present.” No matter what our situation or circumstances are…
Yes, He is in your “now.” If you are struggling with your life’s circumstances…you may be missing Him standing right next to you (indeed…inside of you!). Stop…take some time to seek…listen to what the Lord Jesus says in your immediate situation and start hammering those stakes in the ground He has given you.
Next...enjoy the view...
photo: Herschel Supply