Thursday Reading: Ezekiel 15:1-8
Key Verse: Ezekiel 15:2
2 Son of man, how is the vine tree more than any other tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
Key Verse: Ezekiel 15:2
2 Son of man, how is the vine tree more than any other tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
Devotion:
It is not only when Jesus walked amongst us on earth as a man that we have been compared by Him to vines. The prophets have records of Him inspiring them to write about such things as well. Here, Ezekiel was impressed to write about the value of a vine that is fruitful against the value of a vine that no longer bears fruit. If you have done any studying of caring for vines or even watched a film where they care for vines at some stage, you probably would have picked up on the fact that a vine needs constant care and constant pruning.
It is not only when Jesus walked amongst us on earth as a man that we have been compared by Him to vines. The prophets have records of Him inspiring them to write about such things as well. Here, Ezekiel was impressed to write about the value of a vine that is fruitful against the value of a vine that no longer bears fruit. If you have done any studying of caring for vines or even watched a film where they care for vines at some stage, you probably would have picked up on the fact that a vine needs constant care and constant pruning.
If a vine is left to grow by itself, it will very quickly take over the place where it is growing and choke itself so that it will not bear as much fruit as previous seasons. Unless you are willing to be quite harsh with the vine and cut it back when it gets unruly, you will be left with less fruit than the previous season. However, when you keep it in constant check by pruning, it will deliver more fruit season after season. However, if you simply cut back and do not care for it such as watering in the right ways, it will not bear as much as it can. Unless you nurture it, the fruit-bearing capacity will not be as great as it can be.
God continues to try and make sure that we and pruned back when we get unruly. He continues to prune us when we go wayward. Yet He also makes sure that we are cared for for as long as we want to be. With that combination of love and care what else can we do but grown fruitfully when we walk with Him?
We are all capable of bearing fruit – as is any vine. We are all capable of being useful. We are all also capable of ignoring God and ending up of the pile that will be burned as useless wood. The choice as to where we would rather be is ours to make. The care that we receive if we decide to walk with God will be second to none!
Points to Ponder:
Do you feel like you have a fruitful life?
Do you feel like you have a fruitful life?
How much do you listen to God in His desire to give you a fruitful life?