By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: WHAT MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE?
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 5:4
“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?”
REFLECTIONS
There is no doubt whatsoever that God cherishes His relationship with humanity. Jesus is the whole story and the embodiment of God’s intention for humanity. In every epoch, He deals kindly with everyone, especially those who express faith in Him – He seeks to help and bless them with prosperity, peace, God’s favor, and eternal life. But those who benefit from these favors do not always appreciate God’s intentions. God has been dealing with people who have rebellion written in their DNA. They sin, are forgiven, and return to do even worse. Since human beings fell into sin, God has had to deal with unfaithful, ungrateful, self-seeking, self-centered, evil-minded, and hard-hearted individuals and communities.
Today’s word for meditation is an expression of love and concern by a caring vineyard owner disappointed by his vineyard. The context in Isaiah 5 reveals God’s disappointing vineyard, representing Israel and Judah (verse 7). The parable of the vineyard is presented to express His disappointment in how the people He has invested so much for have not produced the expected lifestyle and character. Everything that will enable them to yield good grapes has failed (verses 1-2). He calls His audience to judge between Him and Israel. If He failed to do His part, they should tell; if instead, Israel has been obstinate, they should determine. The determination will justify God and absolve Him from the blame for any consequences the people endure. Indeed, Israel and Judah frustrated and gravely disappointed God by wasting all the costly investments He made for them – regarding their well-being, glory, and eternal life.
God asks the people in Isaiah 5:4, “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?” The question implies He has done everything possible. Even 2 Chronicles 36:15 testifies, “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.” This heart-searching question is relevant to us today. It speaks about our relationship with God and whether we reflect His character. The question draws our attention to the wonderful privileges we have in God – His unceasing love, care, provisions, and presence. God has done everything possible for our spiritual development and physical, mental, and social well-being. We are saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:14, Ephesians 2:8); the penalty of sin has been taken away, and He aids us to live righteously (Hebrews 2:9,14-18; 4:16). What kind of fruit should we bear having been blessed with all these resources?
Beloved, we are blessed much more because God sends His angels to minister to us and to aid us as they did also for Christ (Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 4:11). Most importantly, He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us produce the proper fruit of life and support us in every aspect of our lives (Galatians 5:21,22-26; John 14:16-18,26). Take advantage of the promptings of God, and you will bear fruit of eternal results. God’s intentions for you are lasting, and He would do anything possible to save you, but the choice, like Israel, is yours.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee” – Patsy Cline
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for the priceless investments He has made for your salvation; thank God for His saving grace; pray to live an excellent fruit-bearing life;
– Pray for backsliders, people not reached with the gospel, those who are Christians in name and for convenience, Christian families, especially those in adolescent years, and ministers of the Gospel;
– Pray for those who live the Christian life by God’s grace; pray for Christ’s followers to show kindness to the needy and poor in our communities; pray for humanitarian organizations and their staff;
– Pray for the nation’s peace, improved living standards, growing love for God, and healing for the ailing; pray for victims of war, provision of humanitarian needs in war-torn areas, and safety for refugees.
