Enlarge Your Tent

Isaiah 54:2-3

"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. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.”

This wonderful promise begins with a command from God to “enlarge the place of your tent.” In order for God to fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives, we need to make room or create the environment for God to work. Many times we pray for things, but we do not see the fulfillment of our prayers because our lives are so cluttered or bound by our limitations that God cannot work.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith.” (Jude 20) He also says that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,” (Romans 10:17) and that “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.” (Hebrews 11:6) There are steps we have to take by faith to create the environment for God to work. We have to diligently seek Him, and in doing so, we come to know Him, recognize His voice, and know His ways.

Once you have enlarged your place, you can now lengthen your cords. You begin to stretch yourself and reach out beyond the borders of your limitations. Begin to do things that you have not done before. Isaiah says, “do not spare.” The NIV says, “do not hold back.” Don’t hesitate! Go for it! 

But as you reach out in faith into the unknown of God’s promises, you must “strengthen your stakes.” Jesus told us in order to survive the flood, we need to “dig deep and lay the foundation on the rock,” by coming to Him and “hearing His sayings and doing them.” (Luke 6:48) As you expand into Satan’s territory it is essential that you take time to dig deep into Christ and drive the unshakable stakes deep into Him.

Once you have enlarged your place, lengthened your cord, and strengthened your stakes, a wonderful thing happens. You can now stretch out the curtains of your dwellings. Curtains are the cloth or skins that make up the tent covering, providing security and safety, not only for yourself, but also for your household and those under your authority.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” Today, believe that God has great things for you and prepare yourself for them because “your Father who is in heaven gives good things to those who ask.”(Luke 11:11)

Andy Clark