Labor Pains: Ready for Delivery

"Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD.

--Isaiah 66:9

The remarkable thing about labor pains is that they are both tremendously painfully, and yet so easily forgotten.  The joy of finally seeing that beautiful baby, the one you dreamed of for months, maybe longer, far outweighs the pain.

Talk to any woman who has given birth and they will wear their delivery story as a badge of honor.  

"Girl, I was in labor with that boy for 14 hours, and THEN the doctor decided on a C-section!"

The delivery of a baby, bringing a new life into this world is so powerful, no wonder the Bible uses the "labor pain" analogy over and over.  Isaiah 66:7-9 reads:

⁷ "Before she goes into labor,
       she gives birth;
       before the pains come upon her,
       she delivers a son.
 ⁸ Who has ever heard of such a thing?
       Who has ever seen such things?
       Can a country be born in a day
       or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
       Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
       than she gives birth to her children.
 ⁹ Do I bring to the moment of birth
       and not give delivery?" says the LORD.
       "Do I close up the womb
       when I bring to delivery?" says your God.

--Isaiah 66:7-9

This scripture was SO very relevant to me today of all days.  I was intensely discouraged, frustrated and to the point of tears, basically feeling impatient.  Then a friend reminded me that the old folks used to say, "You know things have to get really bad, before they get good."

I blew off his easy optimism, preferring my pity-party instead.  I disregarded his advice as meaningless.  I probably thought to myself, "That's not really biblical."  

Then I read Isaiah, chapter 66.  And I was wrong.  His advice was Biblical.  Labor pain always gets worse right before the point of delivery.  Likewise, trials seem toughest, right before God's deliverance.  

In this passage, God gently reminds us that he does not bring us to the point of labor and not bring forth deliverance.  So to those of you (myself included) who feel like you are in labor (figuratively speaking, and literally), be patient.  Wait just a little longer; there is joy on the horizon.

Today's Guided Meditation:

Isaiah 64:4 (emphasis mine)

⁴ Since ancient times no one has heard,
       no ear has perceived,
       no eye has seen any God besides you,
       who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

1) Why do you think I emphasized the phrase "wait for him"?

2) How does this verse relate to Proverbs 3:5?

3) This Christian walk is not a DIY (do-it-yourself) project. In what areas do you need to wait on the Lord and not "lean to your own understanding?"

4) Pray that God will reveal to you the areas in your life where you are not trusting him and that he will strengthen your faith in that area.