Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor. —Isaiah 54:1
Isaiah could say that about one who longed for a special touch, a breakthrough, or vindication, and that’s God’s word for you. Do not be afraid. You will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace. You will not be humiliated.
In ancient times barrenness was regarded as a sign of God’s disapproval. Rachel believed her inability to conceive and the withholding of vindication meant that God did not approve of her.
Perhaps you are blaming yourself for what you don’t have. You keep thinking, What have I done wrong? What can I do? The truth is that God is sovereign. He can do what He pleases, with whom He pleases, when He pleases. This is His word for you. The day came when God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb.
There is a possibility that God wants to do something for you in the future that will make it seem that what you have now is nothing in comparison.
Rachel’s first son was the future prime minister of Egypt, although she wouldn’t live to see it. She named him Joseph because she wanted another baby. Indeed, God gave her another son, Benjamin. She couldn’t have known how strategic he would be. Paul said, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day … of the tribe of Benjamin” (Phil. 3:4). What Rachel finally received was worth waiting for. To this very hour we all benefit from it, for it was Paul who took the gospel to the Gentiles.
We should see that her vindication was the result of prayer. The Bible says that God remembered Rachel. He listened to her. This means she had been praying. She needed and wanted something only God could do.
Have you settled for a premature, shallow vindication? God has your vindication scheduled, too. He has a plan for you, and it’s far greater than the thing you thought would give you satisfaction.
Excerpted from All’s Well That Ends Well (Authentic Media, 2005).
