Prepare for More

Scripture: Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV)

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left…”

God is calling us to prepare for more—not just to hope for more, but to get ready for it. Isaiah 54 isn’t about passively waiting. It’s a call to action:

• Enlarge your tent.
• Stretch wide.
• Don’t hold back.
• Lengthen and strengthen.

This is about faith preparation. God says, “I’m going to do something big, but you must make room.”

3 Ways to Prepare for More

1. Enlarge Your Tent

This means making space in your heart, mind, and life for what God wants to do. It’s easy to settle into routines, but God wants to stretch us beyond small thinking and limited vision.

Ask yourself:

• Am I dreaming big?
• Am I planning for increase?
• Am I creating space for growth—in my time, relationships, and priorities?

2. Strengthen Your Stakes

In biblical times, tents needed strong stakes to stay grounded. Spiritually, this speaks of strengthening your foundation in Christ. You can’t go far if your roots are weak.

• Stay grounded in the Word.
• Stay faithful in prayer.
• Stay committed in community.

Before God builds up, He digs deep.

3. Don’t Hold Back

This is where many get stuck. God is ready to move, but we pull back. We play it safe. We hesitate. But why?

Why People Hold Back

1. Comfort

Comfort can quietly kill purpose. Life gets stable, and we stop pushing. But comfort is not your destination—it’s a trap.

God didn’t deliver you just to relax. He delivered you so you can help deliver others.

2. Shame

Shame tells you you’re not good enough. It says, “Look at your past. Who do you think you are?”

But God doesn’t see you through the lens of your failure. He sees you through the lens of grace.

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 54:4)

If God has forgiven you, you’re free to move forward.

3. Fear of the Unknown (and Fear of Death)

We often fear what we can’t predict. What if I fail? What if it’s too hard? What if I lose everything?

But the God who calls you already sees the end from the beginning. He says:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Fear holds you back. Faith moves you forward.

Get Ready—Because God Is Not Done

God wants to expand you—your impact, your influence, your capacity. But first, you must make room.

• Stretch.
• Strengthen.
• Let go of the past.
• Step into the unknown.

Don’t hold back. There’s more ahead.

(Written from a sermon preached by Rev. David Markin at Gracefields Chapel – Havilah City Temple on the 25th of May, 2025.)