The word “barren” is not a very uplifting word. It represents infertility, lifelessness, and emptiness.  In Scripture whenever the word barren is used it always speaks of despair.  But have you ever considered that God uses empty things to bring about His goodness?

     God used empty space to create everything; literally, out of nothing He made the universe.  God used two empty tablets in the hands of Moses to give us the Ten Commandments.  God used an empty barrel at the widow’s house to supply food for Elijah.  God used empty pitchers in the hand of Gideon to defeat the Midianites.  God used empty pots at the wedding of Cana of Galilee to turn water into wine.  God used the empty nets of Simon Peter to catch a great multitude of fish.  God used an empty tomb to bring hope and salvation to lost man. 

     God took the barren womb of Sarai and gave us Isaac.  God took the barren womb of Rebekah and gave us Esau and Jacob.  God took the barren womb of Rachel and gave us the twelve tribes of Israel.  God took the barren womb of Hannah and gave us Samuel, the great prophet and priest.  God took the barren womb of Elisabeth and gave the world John the Baptist.  God is in the business of taking empty lives and empty people and filling them with His power and glory.  God uses barrenness to bring blessings.