Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

I don't think that there is a soul alive who has not experienced the effect upon a broken and disconnected branch of a plant. The withering, browning, dying of that branch may not take place immediately, and with some assistance, it can be delayed; but it is inevitable, nonetheless. Our tables have fresh flowers on them. Graves are decorated temporarily with the fresh beauty cut from its life-source. Mothers are decorated with corsages of elegance each year. Yet, all these suffer the same fate as the grapevine that cannot bear fruit for its separation from the main vine.

The Christian should quickly recognize the import of these words and think to the illustration Christ made of the grapevine when the topic of fruit-bearing is mentioned. The connection is essential to life and fruit. The sap of the Holy Spirit is nourishing. The watering of the Word of God is key to growth, filling the believer with the life everlasting.

As today's verse reminds us, it is only from the Lord that any fruit of any value, of any godliness is found. Why are not more people godly people? This verse reveals a truth - we have made idols and so been separated from the vine by that sin. Our idols vary from self to money, to science and humanism. Our worldviews are no longer biblical. We forget to kneel before the throne of Grace, and instead work for the god of pleasure and comfort. Jesus said that whatever is good is from above, and any good we do MUST be led of God. Good is not defined by other men, but by the Lord Himself. Good deeds are deeds done of faith, in obedience to the Lord whose Spirit dwells within. Therefore, the lost are cut off, for they deny the leadership of Christ. The Christian who will not obey is no Christian, and begins to wither. If he would grow, he must repent of all that hinders the flow of the Spirit in his life.

Let me add one more thought to this idea. It is not my thought, but C. H. Spurgeon's. He mentions that God is a wise gardner, thinning out what is growth to add yet more productive growth. Some fruit, some branches, and some shoots need to be removed to promote great fruitfulness. Christian, you will be pruned by the Lord, so do not complain that it is wrong just because it hurts. Rejoice that the pain be for a season, but the result be for the glory of your Savior who will, through the pain, make you far more fruitful.

Bro. Greg