10 REASONS TO SING THROUGH LIFE BY SARAH COLEMAN @ CHRISTIANITY.COM

It is your time to sing. Sing? Yes, sing. I don't mean to audition for the next season of American Idol, but I believe God wants you to sing. Sing like the woman of Isaiah 54. Singing through life is an attitude. Singing is being beautiful, letting wonderful surprises happen to you, walking on sunshine, and living beyond status quo. Far over and above all that you could ask or imagine? You better believe it! You may think, that’s fine for you to say, but I don’t have a husband who’s a Christian. Or, I’m not very beautiful. I’m not smart. I don’t have much money. My marriage is on the rocks. I look after my sick mother-in-law. I’m sick with a horrible, incurable disease. I’m single and I’ll never find a husband. Life just plain stinks! There are plenty of excuses, but regardless of your situation, you can sing through life. Esther's husband was not a Christian. Leah was not very beautiful. Rhonda wasn't smart. The widow Jesus pointed out in the temple didn't have much money. Abigail had a terrible marriage. Ruth looked after a sick mother-in-law. The woman with the issue of blood had an incurable disease. Rehab was single with no prospects. And life was pretty bad for Job, Hannah, and Solomon's wives (well, I wouldn't want to be one of 700). Yet they all managed to sing. They made the most of their situation, and as a result, things turned around. I challenge you to take a step of faith and sing. Be in love with God and life. The miracle is about to happen for you. You have reason to sing. “Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord (Isaiah 54:1). 1. You are about to give birth God is about to birth in you new ideas, strategies, dreams. This promise is not for everyone else. It is for you. You will experience renewal. You will birth newness. Good things are about to happen to you. Expect them. Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams (Isaiah 54:2). 2. You are about to be enlarged  No one in the Bible wanted to be enlarged more than Jacob. He struggled to be born first, bargained for a better birthright, and was prepared to wrestle more from God. God has more for you. Go after it! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities (Isaiah 54:3). 3. Your descendants will inherit the nations It may appear as though your descendants will inherit debt, but the Word says otherwise. Godly children will unlock unprecedented blessing. “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood" (Isaiah 54:4). 4. There is no shame Shame binds. Isaiah 53 explains that Jesus dealt with shame on the Cross. Leave guilt and condemnation behind. Your destiny is freedom. For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”says the Lord, who has mercy on you (Isaiah 54:10). 5. God is faithful The Almighty will fulfil his promise. The Lord is not angry with you, he has mercy upon you. He is faithful to do all he said he would do. What a great God we serve. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies, your gates of shining gems, and your walls of precious stones (Isaiah 54:12). 6. God will build your prosperity When the devil builds prosperity it is temporary and does not satisfy. When God builds it, it lasts for eternity. You will be secure under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away. You will live in peace, and terror will not come near (Isaiah 54:14). 7. You will live in peace not terror You and your children will never be threatened, or violated. People of peace don’t hang out with those involved in such behaviour. And terror: it will not come near. You have nothing to fear. If any nation comes to fight you, it is not because I sent them. Whoever attacks you will go down in defeat (Isaiah 54:15). 8. God is on your side The Lord told Joshua, "I will be with you, only be strong and courageous." God is on your side, only be strong and courageous. The Lord conquers over your enemies. But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken! (Isaiah 54:17) 9. No weapon formed against you shall prosper No weapon of gossip, offense, anger, lies, disease, or discouragement will prosper. The Word of God wins every time. 10. God has spoken! These are not my words. The Lord Almighty has spoken. It is your time to sing! The Cross of Christ has given you reason to sing. Meditate and declare these confessions. You can do it. Sing! Sarah Coleman is an Australian author and communicator. Her books include Single Christian Female and Make Yourself Amazing. She is passionate about the Kingdom of God. She also loves being a wife and mother to two boys. To read more of Sarah's thoughts go to sarahcoleman.com.au. Publication date: June 3, 2014