Enlarge!

God is very committed to the growth of His family. The departing words Christ left with the disciples were clear: Go make disciples of ALL nations. That's a lot of people from a lot of different places. And then there was Paul whom God took from devout Judiasm and separatism to spreading the message of Christ throughout the entire Roman empire. God has a heart for a big house full of people. Isaiah stipulates that in Isaiah 54 right after the glorious prophetic chapter on the Lord's passion. 

Isaiah 54:1 (ESV) “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD.

There is a hint of the narrative of Sarah and Hagar in this passage. That is true as the Jewish people have produced more family members of God through Christ than the sons of Ishmael. God commands them to sing. There is joy in the heart of God for bringing people home. 

Then God commands that space be made for the new members of the house:

Isaiah 54:2–3 (ESV) “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities.

I have often found in 25 years of ministry that our building does impact the size of a local congregation. The old movie adage, "if you build it they will come" has been realized throughout my time in this work. What we expect from God we often get from God. If we make room for Him in our lives, we get more of Him. If Churches structure their worship environments for the sake of more people, more people will come. This passage has been near and dear to my heart to that effect. 

Isaiah 54:4 (ESV) “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

God not only wants His evangelist nation joyful, He wants them courageous. We may be mocked but we will not be stopped. Our past sins will not define us and the emptiness of our life before Christ will not be in our mind. 

Isaiah 54:6–8 (ESV) For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Speaking of Israel God reaffirms His covenantal love for them. They were left to their sins but God brought them back. In everlasting love God showed Himself faithful. In the next verses He ups the ante (so to speak). 

Isaiah 54:9–10 (ESV) “This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Yes God does wipe out the sinners and He will do so once more. But He has always made a covenant with His own to protect them and progress them through the world's tumultuous history. Through Christ, we have a covenant in His blood that shields us from the wrath of God for He has borne it. We have this covenant of peace at the price of His Son. What a glorious hope He has reserved for us!