January 25, 2001
"In that day ---- sing about a fruitful vineyard:
I, the Lord watch over it; I water it continually.
I guard it day and night so that no harm may come to it."
Isaiah 27:2-3
God is referring to the church and as he did in chapter 5 he likens it to a vineyard. From that analogy we learn so much about his heart. The verses are a beautiful expression of God's heart for his people!! Someone who gardens could probably better explain all that is implied in vs 2-3 --- how God watches over the vineyard, watering it continually and guarding it. I'm sure there is so much more that could be said about it - what I do understand is how much God loves his church, he labors long and hard to protect it and help it grow. Protection isn't always about stopping things from happening sometime it's in allowing just the right challenges to come through.. the ones that we are strong enough for and can grow from. He assures us that he is standing guard and that nothing will harm us, which means we are strong enough for whatever comes our way.. despite how we may feel about it. Verse 4 especially hits my heart... he starts out saying very simply "I am not angry." Assuring his people that the time of punishment was over and it never affected his tenderness and compassion for them.
"I am not angry.
If only there were briars and thorns confronting me!
I would march against them in battle;
I would set them all on fire."
Isaiah 27:4
His heart is filled to overflowing with his love and care --- that he would wish there were an enemy to cross his path so that he could display his heart, his love for us... he longs to protect his people and wants us to be assured of that!! God wants us to understand this part of his heart, character.. I know its one that I can easily miss. In hard times it seems easier or more natural for me to just assume that God is punishing, angry or upset with me. Though God's character is just and he does deal with sin those are not the greater aspects of his heart... it's his love for us, the way he works to cultivate each one of us, that he does protect and nurture us. I have to constantly remind myself to look at God I the correct way.