Enlarge Your Tent

There is good news that will bring you great joy as you make room for the prince of peace and walk rightly before God. God wants you to see beyond and receive the blessings of the beloved.

“At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill, and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go, disguise yourself, so you won’t be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam. Then go to Shiloh. Ahijah the prophet is there…Take ten loaves of bread with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him…Ahijah said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news. You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have aroused my anger and turned your back on me. “ ‘Because of this, I am going to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam…The Lord will raise up for himself a king…Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah…By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done. In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made.”1 Kings 14:1-26

This chapter tells the story of two kings. Both were unfaithful and aroused God’s anger by how they lived. They got it backwards. Live spelled backwards is evil and that was the defining characteristic of their time as kings. The first king, Jeroboam, thought he could buy his way out of being held accountable for his actions. The problem is God sees beyond our silly schemes into the true state of our heart. The prophet asked why the pretense. He asks us the same thing? Why do we pretend or play games with God? He sees and knows everything. Is there anywhere you are operating as though God does not have open eyes?

One of the first points for today is about being honest before God and owning how you live. God will not share his glory with anyone or anything else. He does not care about your gold or good excuses. The prophet said I have bad news. You cannot buy your way out of being judged as righteous or wicked. What we see as a safety net in life does not save us at death.

The second King, Rehoboam, was equally unfaithful.  He led people astray and encouraged worship of false idols. Before he knew it, a king from Egypt had taken all the treasures that have been stored by Solomon. Truth tells us that we serve a just God who will judge what is right and what is wrong. 

Think of how long Solomon had to work to earn all that gold only to have it all get taken because he and his family would not be faithful to God. God wants us to be faithful. He does not want us to be people who fit in with popular culture or follow the ways of the wicked. Ask the Lord to reveal if there are any areas of your life that are out of alignment with what He has taught us is right. 

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness…make your way straight before me. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalms 5:3-12

David could teach us all a lot about how to have a heart aligned with God. It all began by seeking God expectantly. David did not start his day by complaining about how everyone else is doing him wrong. He did not dwell on what his wicked. He turned to God and declared truth. 

Jesus said seek first the kingdom of God and all things will be given. The first message from this song is to rise early and be expectant. God wants us to lift our eyes so we can see that he wants to bless the obedient. 

David knew that it was with humility that he unlocked the holy. Humility helps us hear how God wants to lead us today. As he bowed down and lived to honor God, he saw blessings everywhere he looked.  He saw God’s hand of favor, provision, and protection.  David encouraged those who would have ears to hear to make a choice to be faithful to the God who is always faithful and gives favor to those who love Him. Have you humbled yourself before the Lord? Will you live to honor His name?

“How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of an artist’s hands. How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights! I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me. Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened…at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved.” Song of Songs 7:1-13

When we consider why the kings were unfaithful, we are likely to come to the conclusion that their hearts were full of desires not from the Father. We live in a world with constant temptation and competing interests.  We live in a world where there is an enemy to our lives who wants us to doubt God and do what we please.  

People do not set out to do evil. Often they subtly allow themselves to slip further and further into sin. Neither Jeroboam nor Rehoboam wanted their lives to end in disaster, but they daily allowed themselves to turn from following God by inviting temptation in. 

Song of songs tells a different story. It is a love story that is meant to help us receive the wisdom that can lead us in loving God fully. It is about a bride and a groom.  It’s about a person whose desire is only for the One. The groom wants to bless the bride, let her know how beautiful she is, and help her feel beloved. These are the same words that God wants to speak over us. He wants us to know that we are known and that he is the source of all that we will ever need. 

“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth…For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth…with deep compassion I will bring you back…Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.“ Isaiah 54:1-17

The heart of the father is compassionate and kind. He does not desire that one person would be lost nor separated from His love. He’s the God who is a redeemer and a restorer. He starts by telling the barren woman to believe she will have children. He said enlarge your tent and escape your past because I have great plans to bless you beyond what you can see.  

Even when we are unfaithful, God is faithful. He spoke of his plan to send a holy one to redeem all his people. Satan, sin, and shame want you to give up and let go of hope. God says lift your eyes and see that nothing can separate you from my love. Where do you need gone to restore hope in your heart? Where do you need to acknowledge that you have let dreams die? Are you willing to take a step of faith and live with expectation by enlarging your tent while you wait for your prayers to be answered? 

“Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem…He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds…An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told….he was named Jesus” Luke 2:4-21

Jesus is the answer to all our questions and the foundation of a life that aligns with God. Let us learn from the lessons of this day. Let us establish new patterns of peace, pursuing God, and belief in His promises.

Begin by learning from the errors of the evil kings. They allowed the world and wickedness to guide what they worship. Let us purify our hearts today. David sought the Lord each morning and trusted in His plan for salvation. Let us seek God and live in his truth. The bride belonged to the groom and knew she was beloved as she was. Let us be faithful in our love to God. Isaiah promised restoration.  Let us learn to believe in the power of God and to dream again. 

The good news is not simply that God sees our hearts; it is that He also makes a way to give us new hearts, new hopes, and a new home. The Prince of Peace invites us to stop pretending, seeking our own desires, and striving. Jesus simply said come and follow Me. 

What is the Lord teaching you today? Where is He calling you to enlarge your tent, believe His promises, and expect Him to do what seems impossible? Every passage reminds us that our daily choices shape the direction of our lives. As we seek Him first, humble ourselves before Him, and remain faithful through every season, we discover that His favor, peace, and joy are far greater than anything this world can offer.

Worship God alone and welcome the Prince of Peace into every corner of your heart. The God who called the barren woman to sing also announced good news of great joy to lonely shepherds. Lift up your eyes, rejoice in the Savior who has come, and live today with the confidence that His peace, His presence, and His unfailing love will never leave you.