What do you think is going on between me and my vineyard?
Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard that I didn’t do?
When I expected good grapes, why did I get bitter grapes? Isaiah 5:2
God had done everything possible to produce juicy sweet grapes but got “sour grapes” instead. Why? The question God asks is one that probes every generation, why are we not more fruitful when He has done everything needed for our salvation and transformation (our fruitfulness)?
In our Bible study this week we delved into how difficult it was to prepare the soil, removing all the stones and preparing the soil for the vines. Hours, days, weeks, even months of labor in the hot sun just to prepare the soil. Then tilling the soil, terracing the land to hold the rain waters, preparing a winepress to press the grapes and building a watchtower to provide protection for His vineyard. He gave His best for this vineyard and what did He get…. sour grapes!!!!
The question was asked of us , “What more could God do for you than He has already done? What would be your complaint before God?” We piously say, “Oh nothing! He has done all!” But in the privacy of our hearts, when no one is watching or listening, we say things like.…Why am I sick? Why don’t you heal me? Why don’t you heal my financial situation? Why isn’t my family saved? Why do I suffer misunderstanding or disrespect at work? Why can’t I figure out my future? Why are my kids bullied? Why is there so much anger, hatred and hunger in our world? Why? Why? Why? Why???
God did everything needed to prepare the vineyard (His children-us) for success and fruitfulness, so why are we not more fruitful? Could it be that we are more concerned with things “under the sun” than things above “with the Son?” Is most of our time spent worrying about money, status, looking good, having the perfect life here and enjoying it to its fullest or are we more concerned about “laying up treasures in heaven”? We must live and survive in this world, but we need to THRIVE in the fruit of righteousness that is concerned more with the needs of the oppressed, fatherless, widows, orphans, sick and destitute, spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially.
Oh, Jesus, thank You for providing everything we need to be fruitful for your kingdom. Help us to focus on the needs around us rather than our need for perfection and prosperity and a pain free life in this world. Help us to see what’s important to You and realize that we need to focus on the needs of those around us for inner transformation that will produce the fruit of righteousness.
Journey with Joyce 