Devotional for Today, October 12. People often say they will start tomorrow, Monday, or New Year’s Day. Even in faith and our relationship with God, people procrastinate. But I tell you—the right time is now!
Devotional for Today, October 12
And vinedresser answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ (Luke 13:6-9)
God’s offer of salvation has its own time and hour. The barren fig tree parable in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 13:6-9) illustrates this point. Man is like the fig tree planted in the Lord’s vineyard.
First of all, vineyards were planted in good soil. But fig trees were planted in poor, stony ground. So, a fig tree planted in good vineyard soil is given an undeserved privilege. In the same way, man is given God’s special grace.
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Secondly, fig trees usually bear fruit in the third year of planting.
Therefore, there is a reasonable expectation of a vineyard owner who comes looking for the fruit of a fig tree in its fourth year. His position is undoubtedly businesslike and practical: “Look, for three years now, I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?”
In the same way, God’s expectation that His grace will bear fruit in a person’s life is reasonable.
We can see how God’s love comes through Jesus in this situation. He intercedes and asks the vineyard owner, disappointed with the fig tree, to have patience and mercy. “Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” (Luke 13:8-9)
The Right Time is Now
Jesus asks for mercy. And if the time of mercy and grace is not used as a chance, then let justice be done.
The conclusion is that one must take the time of grace when it is available. Man cannot play lightly with God’s goodness and love. In the encounter with God’s offer of salvation, there is the question of life and death.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, it often happens to me that I make a resolution but do nothing to carry it out. It also happens that I start but soon stop. Therefore, I ask for Your help and grace so this may not happen to my conversion. I want to turn to You, Heavenly Father, again and again every day. I want to turn away from evil and sin every day. I want Your help to fail the first time, to try a second or even third attempt. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
