Min. Sandra Florentino-Hutchins

Isaiah 5:4 (The Message)

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?

Sour Grapes 

I bet you never thought of yourself as a vineyard, but we are God's vineyard. What it really means is that we are his sphere of action, of labor in the world. So what haven't we done? Well, if we take a little course in growing good grapes we find that in order to be successful we want to select grapes that are suitable to our location and use. Are we making wine, juice, vinegar, or simply growing them for the market. Sometimes, in spite of careful selection, we get bitter grapes. Could it be that we have let the roots dry out?

You see grapes grow best in rocky soil, as we grow best when faced with, and overcoming, the challenges of life. Perhaps we have allowed fear that makes us tremble, trials that cause us anguish and pain, make us bitter. Have we stunted our growth because we have failed to drink our water, the Word, that grounds us in the way, so that we can live happy, fulfilling lives? Are we training ourselves daily in his ways, so that we are testimonies to how sweet life can be? If not, then perhaps we need to prune away the doubt, frustration and stress that cuts us off from our source.

We can only bear sweet grapes when our trust and faith is in the Lord, our refuge of safety and security which protects us and helps us grow. God makes it clear that we must be dedicated to pleasing him in order to accomplish the work that he has cultivated in us.

Prayer 

Lord, life is so sweet when we trust in You
and so bitter when we grow away from You.
Lord, help us to grow toward the sweetness of You,
by the spirit so we can grow more sweet grapes for You.

Thought for the day 

Not Bitter but Sweet.