MEMORISE
And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down (Luke 13:9).
READ:
Isaiah 5:1-6
[1]. Now let me sing to my Well-beloved
A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill.
[2]. He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.
[3]. “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.
[4]. What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes,
Did it bring forth wild grapes?
[5]. And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
[6]. I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, but there shall come up briers and thorns.
I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it.”
EXPOSITION
Jesus tells His followers that He works just as His Father works (Jn. 5:17). You can see that the vineyard in question in this passage had many advantages and belonged to a person. It was planted on a land as fertile as Canaan as today commemorates World Soil Day (Deut. 1:25). Because it was meant for the beloved, it was well-secured and fertilised, so that it could bring forth good fruit. For Israel, God purposely planted them in the best of lands, so that they could yield unto Him fruits of righteousness. But alas! All of God's effort was wasted. Though she brought forth fruits, they were sour and wild, inedible. Has God not done enough for us by releasing His Son enough to die in our stead, providing all we need to grow in His grace? Has He not sent the rain and sun to enable us in fulfilling His purposes on earth? Though He does these and many more for us, what fruit are we bearing-of the Spirit, or the flesh? If of the flesh, it will decay and become unfit for nothing, other than being burnt in the fire (1 Cor. 3:15; Rev. 21:8). But if of the Spirit, it brings pleasure and honour to the Lord, as well as blessings to us and those we are sent to (Prov. 11:18; 13:21; 1 Cor. 3:14).
Dear devout, are God's expectations of your tree being met as He comes to eat from you? Ask yourself, 'Am I really profiting God with my vantage position?' Considering God's opportunities, privileges and care, we should be ashamed, if we aren't as fruitful as we ought to be. Many like to claim rights without caring about their responsibilities. Be more concerned about your faithfulness and fruitfulness than what you get from God.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 655
1. Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home:
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
2. We ourselves are God's own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Grant, O harvest Lord, that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.
3. For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offences purge away;
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.
4. Then, thou church triumphant, come,
Raise the song of harvest home:
All are safely gathered in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin;
There for ever purified,
In God's garner to abide;
Come, ten thousand angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home!
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, have mercy on, and forgive me where I have wasted Your efforts to make me bear good fruits.
2. Lord, help me to know and appreciate my position in You.
3. Pray for CAC Odusona Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
1 Corinthians 12:12-15:28
AUTHOR.
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (World Soil Day) TOPIC: HOW LONG WILL YOU REMAIN UNFRUITFUL?){kind=link}