‘Enlarge the place of your tent,
    stretch your tent curtains wide,
    do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
    strengthen your stakes.

I remember reading a book by a well known Christian author, and his counsel was, ‘Every day, read in the Bible as far as something ‘hits’ you, and then carry that with you all through the day.’ Of course, it is not the only approach to Bible reading (and it’s not my own pattern), but I thought it had merit: take the text God has impressed on you into the day. Meditate on it. Turn it into prayer. Perhaps share it with others as the Lord leads you.

Just the other day, as I was re-reading Isaiah 54, and seeking to translate it into prayer, I was hit by the words: ”do not hold back”. They resonate with me at the moment, and I simply want to ask the question, ‘Is there any area in your life where you are aware of ‘holding back’? God is speaking to you, and you know it. But possibly fear, or some other reason, is causing you to drag your heels.

You know, and I know (but let’s remind ourselves) that if God is in it, we need not fear it, and He will ‘give the growth’ as we step out in obedience.

Something else ‘struck’ me in my Bible reading this morning. In 1 Sam 19, Jonathon is speaking up for his beloved friend David, in the presence of his hostile father Saul. In verse 5 he says:

”He took his life in his own hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad.’

Note: there was something brave David had to do, but look what God did!

”…do not hold back”

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you graciously speak to us. Please give me the faith and courage to obey.