Crisis ConvertedSample
Theme: Sing barren woman!
Crisis Converted Then:
Infertility is a theme of God’s promise throughout the scriptures. God establishes his covenant with Abraham through the infertility of his wife Sarah. Though Sarah is barren for nearly all of her life, she becomes the mother of the promised son. This happens again with Rebekah and then Rachel. So, when God calls upon the prophet to reestablish his covenant with Israel, it is no surprise that he uses the language of the barren woman rejoicing over her children. God is taking back his barren bride in his unfailing love and blessing her (Israel) with generations of children in the land she loves.
Crisis Converted Now:
Disgrace, shame, pain, fear, and, at times, humiliation are all the feelings known too intimately by those who struggle through infertility. Once again, the prophet speaks from this place because God knows intimately the hurt of a barren womb. In Jesus, he knows undue humiliation and disgrace personally.
Roughly one in ten women in the US struggle with infertility in some form. You never know in your church who is experiencing this hurt and pain. Be sensitive. Be willing to join into this pain with them and turn towards Christ. Pray today for those struggling with infertility.
Scripture
About this Plan
This study from Isaiah 40-55 explores our identity as people affected by trauma but living in hope. In the exile, God’s nation had to find new life when their old life had been completely overturned and destroyed. Similarly, we now find ourselves trying to “return to normal” in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Yet, God can take any crisis and convert it for his glory and our growth.
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