As I was studying through the Book of Isaiah this morning, I found myself intently reading the story in the 5th chapter. Isaiah told the story of a man with a vineyard on a fertile hill. The man cultivated the ground and removed the stones so that nothing would hinder the vines' growth. He planted only the best quality vines. He built a tower in the middle of the vineyard so he could watch for wild animals and intruders. He constructed a wine vat so that he would be ready for the ripe grapes. Then he waited. Rather than producing good grapes, however, the vineyard only produced worthless ones.
"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?" Isaiah 5:4
I found myself thinking as I read these words, what more could have been done for us? I believe that this story is a good illustration of the relationship between God and us in today's society. I mean, God has done everything necessary for us to produce an abundance of spiritual fruit in our lives. He saved us when we were without hope. He gave us His Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. He has removed our sin so that we are free to serve Him. We have His Word in more translations than we can count. We have access to more Christian books, music, videos, conferences, schools, radio and television stations, magazines, and seminars than ever before in the world. There are churches of every kind and size. We have teachers and pastors to instruct us and encourage us. Most of all, we have direct access to God through prayer.
We see a falling away from the faith today. People are turning from God and turning to their own ways, beliefs, cultures, etc., etc. Many of those in the pulpits are growing weary as they feel their preaching and teaching is falling on deaf ears and hardened hearts, so they either quit, or decide to follow the crowd. My question to those of you who read this is: What more could God have done that He hasn't already done? He even went so far as to send Jesus, His only Son, to live among us, teach us, instruct us, love us, and then die for us. Is there anymore that God could do? If our answer is no, then why do the hearts of most continue to fall away from trusting the Lord?
Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is expected. One day friends, God will hold us accountable for all that He has done for us. He will ask us to show Him the fruit of all of His bountiful provisions for our lives. What will He find?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
"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?" Isaiah 5:4
I found myself thinking as I read these words, what more could have been done for us? I believe that this story is a good illustration of the relationship between God and us in today's society. I mean, God has done everything necessary for us to produce an abundance of spiritual fruit in our lives. He saved us when we were without hope. He gave us His Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. He has removed our sin so that we are free to serve Him. We have His Word in more translations than we can count. We have access to more Christian books, music, videos, conferences, schools, radio and television stations, magazines, and seminars than ever before in the world. There are churches of every kind and size. We have teachers and pastors to instruct us and encourage us. Most of all, we have direct access to God through prayer.
We see a falling away from the faith today. People are turning from God and turning to their own ways, beliefs, cultures, etc., etc. Many of those in the pulpits are growing weary as they feel their preaching and teaching is falling on deaf ears and hardened hearts, so they either quit, or decide to follow the crowd. My question to those of you who read this is: What more could God have done that He hasn't already done? He even went so far as to send Jesus, His only Son, to live among us, teach us, instruct us, love us, and then die for us. Is there anymore that God could do? If our answer is no, then why do the hearts of most continue to fall away from trusting the Lord?
Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is expected. One day friends, God will hold us accountable for all that He has done for us. He will ask us to show Him the fruit of all of His bountiful provisions for our lives. What will He find?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
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