“Sing, O barren” (Isaiah 54:1)

Even if the Holy Spirit in you has produced some fruit, there are times when you feel your fruit is sparse and of lower quality. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Your prayers seem lifeless, your love seems cold, your faith is sometimes replaced with fear, and your garden’s been overrun with the cares of the world. You’ve stopped doing the first works of love (Revelation 2:5). If this is you, what can you do? Tonight’s Scripture gives the answer: “Sing, O barren … Break forth into singing, and cry aloud … Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed … For your Maker is your husband” (Isaiah 54:1-5).

Sing to Christ. Remember how He saved you. Go back to the cross. You lost your burden of sin there … only He can restore your soul. Go in poverty, in helplessness, in the shame of backsliding. Tell Him, “ I’m still Your Bride. I repent and humble myself at Your feet”. Sing, oh saint! It will cheer your heart. Sing, for if you’ve repented of being barren, He’ll soon enable you to again bear fruit. When a sense of your poverty drives you back to Christ, that’s where you need to stay.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing … If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:5-8).