Ready or Not

“Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.

I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!” -Isaiah‬ ‭5:1–7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sometimes there is a modicum of success. It feels good. It seems to be a blessing. There can even be some fruit. The question is, is it the fruit that was planted. Did we cultivate the right stuff? Did we recognize what He has done? Did we open the door and let the enemy inside the gates?

In Isaiah 5 the comparison is being made between Israel and a vineyard. The vineyard was lovingly prepared, protected from vermin and planted with good seed. God has done the work, set the table and given provision, so why do we fail to use what is there and thrive? Do we feel that there is time? What happens when the master returns to his vineyard expecting good fruit.

Turn back! Cry for help!

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!” - Psalms‬ ‭80:1–2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God Saves

“You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.” - Psalms‬ ‭80:8–10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Remember what God has done. See the provision that he has prepared for you. What he has done before He can do again. Learn from the mistakes, seek repentance, and be replanted. In Hebrews 11 we see those who, by Faith, embraced what God had for them. The section concludes in Hebrews 12:1–2.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews‬ ‭12:1–2‬ ‭ESV

Jesus paid the price and covers the sins to which we cling. But if you do not turn back know that God won’t stop. His time is coming. Will you be ready or not.

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be— Three against two…” - Luke‬ ‭12:49–53‬ ‭MSG‬‬