Enlarge: January 18, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2012.

ENLARGE

DEFINITION:

Make larger; extend; augment; increase in capacity or scope.

SCRIPTURE:

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The prophet Isaiah in this passage (above) is talking about God’s everlasting love for Israel and His covenant promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation. As a growing nation Israel is to make their tent larger. This verse refers not only to Israel but applies prophetically to the future Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the need for the church (all believers) to enlarge its’ tent by spreading the good news of the gospel.

The verse goes on to tell us to “lengthen your cords” so the church can increase its influence in the community throughout the world. Jesus commanded that we, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

The illustration of a tent is understood by all. When you put up a small tent you tighten the cords and it will house a few people. But when the need arises to hold more people we must enlarge the tent. We do this by lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes that hold the cords in the ground.

In the Hebrew dictionary the word for “enlarge” is RACHAB. It means to become wide like chambers, like the chambers of a heart. It also has the meaning of increasing the size such as a city’s borders or a church.

To enlarge our tent we must enlarge our heart by filling it with more of God’s love and enlarge our capacity to love others. It is only as each one of us has more love for the Lord that the church “tent” will be enlarged.

We, as believers in Jesus today, need to enlarge our tents. Our tents include our ministry, our vision and our testimony to others. We need to spread out and think big. When a tent is enlarged the cords must be lengthened and stronger stakes are needed to keep it from collapsing. We need to lengthen our cords by looking for new and fresh ways to serve our Lord. We need to strengthen our stakes by reading God’s Word and praying daily for something special that God has for us.

In this chapter of Isaiah the prophet is speaking of the day when Israel accepts Christ as their Messiah and Savior. “With great compassion I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7). At that time they will need enlarged spaces where they can sing and be blessed with a rich reward of everlasting joy and peace. We as believers need to enlarge our tents so we to can honor and bless our Savior.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

PRAYER:

Strengthen my faith by giving me a better understanding of Your Word as I read it daily. Help me to communicate with You daily through prayer in a new and fresh way. Enlarge our family’s spiritual vision so we can be used anew by You