Good Word Friday theme: Peace

Today’s Good Word is for anyone who has ever felt forsaken by God for a time. This whole chapter, as well as its parallel in Isaiah 54, is a promise to Israel, but it speaks to anyone who has gone through a dry spell in life. After a period of longsuffering, God promises that His peace will come and “put joy where the pain had been.”

This chapter uses the image of a barren woman to paint a picture of desolation, affliction, and inner tumult. Then, it describes how God uses her to bear children — so many that she sings for joy and must get a bigger tent to house her offspring. And the best part is this — God promises a future of unending peace for her and her descendants:

“But my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” (verse 10)

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a wilderness that seems barren of blessings. We are toiling, but we can’t see any spiritual fruit budding, and it’s beyond frustrating, especially when we’re hoping for people to come to Christ, (when that’s the type of birth we’re yearning for).

The good news is that there’s a powerful promise in this chapter. When God decides to exchange barrenness for fruitfulness, there will not be an end to that fruitfulness. Oppression, fear, terror, weapons, wrongful judgment — none of it will jeopardize the birth and growth of the family. The children that miraculously come from that previously barren place will inherit unending peace. 

“And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” (3 Nephi 22:13, Isaiah 54:13)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.