Recently I had the humbled privilege to preach at a rural church in western Illinois. One of the members took me on a mini tour of the surrounding areas. Just a few miles down the road she showed me her homestead. Behind her home among the rolling bluffs not far from the Mississippi River were the bare branches of a vineyard. The surrounding nature scape remained dormant due to its winter state. I could only imagine the beauty of summer with the flowering blossoms of the young bunches budding among the lush green leaves of the thick vines that lined the hillside. My mind wandered to the story of the 12 spies Then they came to the valley of Eshcol and from there cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes; and they carried it on a pole between two men, with some of the pomegranates and the figs. (Numbers 13:23) In the land that was promised to them, their eyes took in the rewards and the blessings that were waiting to be reaped. God has a plan for each of us. As we scout out the lands, we can see the vast potential in each land. Our hearts soak in the wondrous blessings and our eyes perceive the majesty of His grace and mercy in the land ahead. God’s plan for us is our goals. We strive daily to reach for the promises that God has given to us and bask in His glorious goodness when those promises are fulfilled. Grapes, so sweet and juicy are like the nectarine of God’s promises. He has something for us, far greater than we could ever imagine. The Israelites have wandered the dry dusty wilderness and now ready for the taking was a lush land flowing with milk and honey. The staples of life to sustain a weary tribe waited just beyond the horizon. We long to see God’s plan for our lives. We long to see His promises fulfilled. We long to feel His presence. We cry for His power to sustain our journey just a little while longer until we reach that destination. I know God has a place for my family and I. As we journey through this world and patiently wait and seek God’s will, we know that someday soon, we too shall reach our destination in finding God’s place and plan for us. As we remain faithfully committed to the plan God has for us, may we never forget the promise God has given to us. He has a purpose for you and by Him and through Him you can accomplish His purpose and attain His promise. Despite the fact that it as though your journey is futile and you feel weary and tired, God is still leading you to a greater agenda. Those missionaries who have left the comfort of their culture, the pastor who has sacrificed the luxuries of life, and the servant who has given up their treasured time will undeniably have moments of discouragement as they wait for the bountiful blessings of grapes to be given them due to their service to the King. But deeper still the truth remains that there is an even more bountiful vineyard waiting for us all, His dear children. It is a place where our journey ends and joy eternal remains. It is a place where pain ceases to exist and praises continues to be lifted. It is a place where sadness is forbidden and salvation forever reigns. Our enemies can no longer touch us for we rest primarily in the wondrous grace and mercy of our Sovereign Creator. In the midst of your journey, with hope you can see the grapes of bountiful blessings and promises that await you. Though the landscape seems dismally mired in its dormant lifeless state, may our hope and faith see the potential that exists in the land ahead, the promised land.
No comments:
Post a Comment