D. Scott Meadows

“Sing, O barren.” —Isaiah 54.1

Though we have brought forth some fruit unto Christ [Rom 6.22], and have a joyful hope that we are “plants of his own right hand planting” [Isa 60.21], yet there are times when we feel very barren. Prayer is lifeless, love is cold, faith is weak, each grace in the garden of our heart languishes and droops [Jer 31.12]. We are like flowers in the hot sun, requiring the refreshing shower [Psa 72.6]. In such a condition what are we to do?

The text is addressed to us in just such a state. “Sing, O barren, break forth and cry aloud.” But what can I sing about? I cannot talk about the present, and even the past looks full of barrenness. Ah! I can sing of Jesus Christ. I can talk of visits [not physically, but with blessings] which the Redeemer has aforetimes paid to me; or if not of these, I can magnify the great love wherewith he loved his people when he came from the heights of heaven [John 3.13] for their redemption. I will go to the cross again. Come, my soul, heavy laden thou wast once, and thou didst lose thy burden there. Go to Calvary again [by remembering in faith]. Perhaps that very cross which gave thee life may give thee fruitfulness. What is my barrenness? It is the platform for his fruit-creating power. What is my desolation? It is the black setting for the sapphire [precious gem, typically blue] of his everlasting love [Jer 31.3]. I will go in poverty, I will go in helplessness, I will go in all my shame and backsliding [Rev 3.17, 18], I will tell him that I am still his child, and in confidence in his faithful heart, even I, the barren one, will sing and cry aloud.

Sing, believer, for it will cheer thine own heart, and the hearts of other desolate ones. Sing on, for now that thou art really ashamed of being barren, thou wilt be fruitful soon; now that God makes thee loath [unwilling] to be without fruit he will soon cover thee with clusters [as bunches of grapes]. The experience of our barrenness is painful, but the Lord’s visitations [special experiential blessings] are delightful. A sense of our own poverty drives us to Christ, and that is where we need to be, for in bhim is our fruit found [Hos 14.8; John 15.4, 5; 2 Pet 1.8, 9].

—C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 28 August PM

On Isaiah 54.1

The whole verse reads, “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.” Matthew Henry’s explanation is excellent: The death of Christ is the life of the church and of all that truly belong to it; and therefore very fitly, after the prophet had foretold the sufferings of Christ [Isa 53], he foretells the flourishing of the church, which is a part of his glory, and that exaltation of him which was the reward of his humiliation: it was promised him that he should see his seed, and this chapter is an explication of that promise. It may easily be granted that it has a primary reference to the welfare and prosperity of the Jewish church after their return out of Babylon, which (as other things that happened to them) was typical of the glorious liberty of the children of God, which through Christ we are brought into; yet it cannot be denied but that it has a further and principal reference to the gospel church, into which the Gentiles were to be admitted.

Paul’s citation of Isaiah 54.1 in Galatians 4.27 justifies this idea that it relates to the blessed increase of Christ’s church after His first coming to grow immeasurably with additions of sinners from all the nations. Sarah’s barrenness turned to fruitfulness is realized in the analogy of the explosive growth of Christ’s church in this age.

Spurgeon adapts this verse to the spiritual experience of individual Christians. Each of us is subject to declensions and restorations, partial and temporary relative languor followed by noticeable rejuvenation in the Lord’s dispensations of mercy. In the down times, therefore, we ought to “sing” (lit., shout for joy) from anticipation of the better times which are sure to come, even if they are long delayed. This is one way to show the genuineness of our hope, and such celebration fosters our recovery.

The structure of this devotional message

I. Our Spiritual Barrenness
• Sometimes belongs to true Christians
• Amounts to a spiritually low condition

II. My Resolve to Sing Joyfully of Christ
• His former blessings to me
• His eternal love for me
• His sacrifice on the cross for me
• His faithfulness to me

III. Join Me in Singing!
• For your own and others’ cheerfulness
• For your inevitable restoration
• For the glory of Christ

Closing reflections

As a true pastor, Spurgeon acknowledges the reality and painfulness of Christian declension and points his hearers to Christ for help. Instead of directing them to look inward, he, as a fine example, gazes upward upon our Savior. It is not our faithfulness in spiritual disciplines but Christ’s faithfulness in our spiritual care which makes all the difference. His sacrifice, His intercession, and His Spirit renew our spiritual health. Ω