Enlargement

ENLARGEMENT

Isaiah 54:1 - 5

"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5 For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

I. WE MUST HAVE A DESIRE FOR ENLARGEMENT

I Chronicles 4:10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

1. DESIRES ARE GRANTED AS WE DELIGHT IN THE LORD

Psalm 37:4. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Isaiah 58:14 then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

2. DESIRES ARE GRANTED AS WE PUT FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD

Mark 11:24 Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. [NLT]

3. DESIRES ARE GRANTED AS WE SEEK THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY

II Chronicles 15:15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

Ps 119:106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

II. WE MUST PREPARE FOR ENLARGEMENT

Isaiah 54:2 & 3 Make wide the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your house be stretched out without limit: make your cords long, and your tent-pins strong. 3 For I will make wide your limits on the right hand and on the left; and your seed will take the nations for a heritage, and make the waste towns full of people. [BBE]

Isaiah 49:19 "Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.

Isaiah chapter 53 speaks of the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary

Isaiah chapter 55 speaks of the ‘Gospel Call’, and the promised blessing upon God’s Word.

Isaiah chapter 54 speaks of the Church in preparation for the enlargement.

1. ENLARGEMENT IS ACTIVE PREPARATION (NOT PASSIVE).

Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back [this involves active participation]

2. ENLARGEMENT IS ENCOMPASSING A GREATER AREA

Isaiah 54:2 lengthen your cords,

3. ENLARGEMENT IS REMAINING STRONG

Isaiah 54:2 strengthen your stakes

Enlargement does not ‘just happen’, but comes as a result of active preparation; enlargement does not mean becoming weaker, but remaining strong as a result of the preparation.

III. TRUE ENLARGEMENT COMES FROM GOD

1. ENLARGEMENT OF STEPS - STABILITY

II Samuel 22:37 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. [NLT]

2. ENLARGEMENT OF HEART

I Kings 4:29 God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured.[NLT]

God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore [NKJV]

3. ENLARGEMENT OF LOCATION

Psalm 118:5 Out of a strait, called I on Yah, He answered me with enlargement [Rotherham]

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. [AV]

In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and enlarged me. [Douay}

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. [RSV]