Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Barren Places

by Nan Jones

 After all these years, how did this story pass me by without grabbing my attention? It's the story of the proclamation of Samson's birth. It's a story that offers great insight into the awesome God we love and serve.

Manoah and his wife were barren. The Angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her that she would conceive a child who was to be set apart for the service of the Lord - he would  be a Nazirite who would deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.The woman did not understand that this Man of God was actually the Lord Himself.

Manoah believed his wife, but he asked the Lord if He would send the Man of God again to teach them what they should do for the child who would be born. The Lord heard the cry of Manoah's heart and came again. He met Manoah and his wife at their point of need.

After the visitation, Manoah wanted to honor the Man of God by preparing a goat for Him. The Angel said He could not eat the meal, but that Manoah should offer it as a burnt offering to the Lord.

Not understanding who the Man of God was, "Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, 'What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor you?' And the the Angel of the Lord said to him, 'Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?'"

I love that! "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?"

It is wonderful is a Hebrew expression meaning 'beyond understanding'. The Name of the Lord is beyond understanding! It is the Name above all names. His Name is a strong tower where we can run and be saved from our enemies. The Name of the Lord embodies the very essence of His power and glory.

"So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He [the Lord] did a wonderous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on - it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar - the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. When the Angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the Lord." ~ Judges 13: 17-21)

The Lord revealed Himself to Manoah and his wife because they believed. He revealed Himself in their offering of gratitude.

Oh yes, sweet friend...His Name is wonderful.

Are there barren places in your life? Brokenness? Fear? Lost hope and dreams? Call on the Name of the Lord. His name is Peace. His name is Redeemer. Healer. Friend.

His name is Jesus.



Father, I pray for my precious friends today. Many are hurting, are frightened or alone. But You Lord, are wonderful. Your love is beyond understanding. I ask that You hold my friend close. Hide them beneath the shadow of Your wing until the calamity passes them by. There is no sweeter place than the shadow of Your Presence. Draw them to You Lord. Call out their name and woo them by the power of Your Holy Spirit. I ask that You would make a way where there seems to be no way. I ask that the Light of Your Presence would dispel all darkness, in Jesus' Name. Fill up the  barren places with life - abundant life that only You can give. Thank You, Lord. You are Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, and the Prince of Peace. Rain down Your peace on my friend today, In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are there barren places in your life? @NanJonesAuthor offers hope. (Click to Tweet)

Oh yes, sweet friend...His Name is wonderful. (Click to Tweet)

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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring Janet Paschal singing, "You're Still Lord". You may remember Janet from the Gaither Homecoming shows. She is a cancer survivor and sings this song as a testament to the fact that, regardless of what comes our way, Jesus is still Lord. It's powerful.