Loud And Joyful Faith

Loud and Joyful Faith

Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Isaiah 54:1

IN THE LATER CHAPTERS OF ISAIAH—those poetic and prophetic passages filled with hints of messianic ministry, the cost of redemption, and ultimate restoration—the prophet makes a startling statement: He tells barren women to sing. Why? Not because barrenness is worth celebrating; not because their shame is unwarranted (though it is); not because it’s better to be childless in difficult times; but because they are about to have numerous children. The very things they are ashamed about, their deep disappointments of the past, are going to be undone.

These are not just words of a prophet, of course. They are words of God put into the mouth of Isaiah, who boldly says this is a divine decree. It’s remarkable for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the barren are going to be fruitful. But just as remarkable is the command to go ahead and sing. By faith, the “barren”—literally and figuratively—are supposed to have a joyful celebration based on nothing other than the fact that God has foretold something. They don’t see any evidence yet—their prayers have not yet been answered in any visible way—but the answer has been given. And that calls for a party.

Why does God tell people who have been repeatedly disappointed to go ahead and sing “loud and joyful” songs? Because faith expresses itself. When we hold back our celebration and our words to see if God is going to do something, we aren’t yet convinced that he will. Faith doesn’t say if; it says when. It goes ahead and counts on the fact that God has something good in store, and the rejoicing begins. Faith knows that the promise of God outweighs past disappointments and shame and celebrates the victory.

Don’t rest in your faith until you get to that point. Don’t let past disappointments color future expectations. Let your words, songs, dancing, and celebrations erupt in the assurance of his voice. Fruitfulness is coming. Let your faith—and your songs of joy—rise up in your heart.

Faith is the bird that sings while it is yet dark.