“Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope; drive the tent pegs deep.” Isaiah 54 vs 2 (MSG)
One thing our man of God emphasises is the application of principles. In order to receive the manifestation of every God-given promise or word, you cannot afford to sit on your hands. You must apply the word accordingly. Imagine folding your hands and saying, “God has blessed me beyond a curse”. Yet, you do not seek out opportunities or even take a course for when the right opportunities come your way. Or saying, “Men are saved all over the world”, and you do not consciously intercede for souls or speak to them. The writers of the part of the scriptures that emphasises praying for all men (1 Timothy 2:4) or preaching the message (Romans 10:14) knew exactly what they were saying. Although God has blessed us and wants us to have an intimate relationship with everyone, it doesn’t come by just sitting pretty in waiting. There is a place for application.
Now, someone is wondering, “I understand applying the word, but what exactly does driving your tent pegs deep mean?” In a short response, it means BUILDING CAPACITY. An amazing thing about our opening verse is that in another translation, it uses the word ‘build’. Voice translation says, ‘Enlarge your house. You are going to need a bigger place; don’t underestimate the amount of room that you’ll need. So, build, build, build.’ We see clear-cut instructions that emphasises ‘building’. Another logical question at this point is, “What exactly am I building?” You are building yourself! That’s it. You’re building yourself! Spiritually, intellectually, financially, and in all areas of your life.
The bible in Colossians 3:17 AMPC says, “And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.” One key thing here is do EVERYTHING (sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life) in the name of Jesus and in DEPENDENCE upon Him. Ecclesiastes says, whatever your hands find to do, do it well.
Again, Proverbs 22:29 reminds us, “Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”. Now, you see more reasons to DRIVE YOUR TENT PEGS DEEP. You cannot give what you do not have. Even normal employers seek out professionals. You cannot handle the manifestation of great and tremendous promises when you have not built the capacity for it. That is why reading through Isaiah 54 again, you see that although the promises have been given, there is an instruction to build capacity closely following.
As we round off this remarkable month of October, it is pertinent to understand that sitting on our hands cannot cut it anymore. This season of EXPANSION and ESTABLISHMENT requires wisdom as our man of God has said. And clearly, we see that wisdom (or a part of it) is not far-fetched. It is simple; DRIVE YOUR TENT PEGS DEEP (and of course, with total dependence upon the person of Jesus Christ).
With love,
TMM Publications.