Possibilities of Grace

Daily Reading: Luke 13

Scripture Focus: A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. (Luke 13.6)

Devotional Thought: I know people who have given up on themselves. They need to hear this story of the fig tree. I have often been challenged by this parable of Jesus. I don't want to be an unfruitful fig tree! Consider this story...

This tree had every opportunity to bear fruit. It was "planted in his vineyard." There was better soil and conditions in the vineyard. The tree was protected and "pampered." As children of God, we are planted in his vineyard, fed and watered by the hand of God himself. May we take advantage of our opportunities to bear fruit for the Master!

Another thing I notice is that the owner of the vineyard had an expectation that a fig tree in his vineyard would produce fruit. He "came seeking fruit."

But there may be a fig tree which proves to be a disappointment: "found none." Having opportunity and expectation is not enough. Something within the fig tree must bring forth fruit.

But there is grace for even the unfruitful fig tree! It is given another opportunity to bear fruit. It is given extra attention. Failure need not be final. God provides a solution to fruitlessness. It may not always be pleasant - digging around it and putting on manure (v. 8) - but God's grace is just what we need. Give thanks to God that he doesn't give up on us!

I like the picture painted of the possibilities of grace: "It should bear fruit next year." And so the cycle of grace is renewed!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your infinite patience and grace. Help me to take advantage of my opportunities and fulfill your divine expectations for my life, bearing fruit to the praise of your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:7-16)