Journey to Advent--Day Five

Isaiah 5:1-7 What's Wrong with the Vineyard?

As we approach today's passage we once again are reminded of the judgment of God. In the allegorical story of a vineyard that is not producing the right kind of fruit, we see the vineyard owner removing protection and allowing the vineyard to be destroyed.

An interesting story to read until we realize that we are the vineyard. We are the one that God has planted, protected and provided care. Our response to this care is to produce the right kind of fruit. But instead, we often produce sour, wild fruit that is not fit for the owner. In our attempts to produce our own kind of fruit, sometimes we are left to the consequences of those actions outside the protection of God's walls. Our fruit production (or lack of) can lead to our own destruction.

As we near the end of our first week of Advent, pause with me to contemplate what kind of fruit we are producing and make confession for sour fruit. Let us today renew our desires to produce the right kind of fruit for our King.

For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23~

Father, forgive the sour grapes and bitter fruit that I have so often produced. Prune away the things that keep me from producing good fruit. Please keep your protective walls around me and produce in me that which you desire to see. Amen.