The Time for Pressing In

New year, new opportunities, new challenges (which are really opportunities in disguise). The world is a'twitter about the economy and other things. However, for those who follow after Jesus Christ and seek the kingdom of God and righteousness (His way of doing things), though we are in the world, we are not of it. In Isaiah 54:2-3, we find a different call than the world is hearing.

Enlarge the place of your tent,
And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;
Do not spare;
Lengthen your cords,
And strengthen your stakes.
For you shall expand to the right and to the left,
And your descendants will inherit the nations,
And make the desolate cities inhabited.

It is a call to preparation, to enlargement, to stretching out into the dream God has given you. It is not a time for sparing or holding back your resources but a time for lengthening your tent cords and strengthening your stakes, to expand your vision on all sides. God is giving us an inheritance to live out and a legacy for the next generation that will bless the nations, make the barren places fertile and bring life to the desolate cities.

Ever since Jesus came, the kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold it (Matthew 11:12 NIV). Luke’s version says, “Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16 NKJV; see A Kingdom Forcefully Advancing).

Now is the time to keep pressing in for the kingdom of God to be fulfilled and His will done on earth as it is in heaven.