THE FRUITFUL VINEYARD - PART 3

FRIDAY 10 JANUARY 2025

Apostle Paul noted in 1st Corinthians 3:9 that we are co-workers in God's service. Particularly, you are God's field, God's building, God's vineyard. By the grace of God, as co-workers in God's service, we are parts of His whole supreme Kingdom, meaning that we cannot exist independently of the whole, and we cannot exercise divine functioning ability without reference to the whole. That's what it means to be co-workers in God's service. In addition, we are God's field, God's building, God's vineyard, and I personally define God as being an advanced specialist in field or vineyard management that analyses and heightens divine workflow. More below!

Reference: Isaiah 27:2-3 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

"The Lord said: At that time you must sing about a fruitful vineyard. I, the Lord, will protect it and always keep it watered. I will guard it day and night to keep it from harm."

The second segment for today's expository knowledge reads:

"I, the Lord, will protect it and always keep it watered."

The Lord indeed protects and nurtures His fruitful vineyard, and we are the rightful beneficiaries of this truth - as individuals and as the body of Christ. Evidently, in today's article, the main focus is on God's protection on your behalf as a person or "single being" which is distinct from the entire body of Christ, and in the next article, I will gladly expound His protective measures, guarding influence and integrity on behalf of the church.

It is a sense of great privilege and honour that the righteous who are faithful and are constantly being rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus receive God's Kingdom protection at that time, which is now. Simply put, in the kingdom of their Father, they have full access to divine protection. So God is committed to watering and guarding His vineyard day and night, protecting it against anything or force that might wish to harm it.

Why did I use the phraseology: "the righteous who are faithful"? This is sincerely due to the factual verity that not all people who go by the name "righteous" seek or expect divine protection from God. To that effect, Isaiah 27:5 stated, "But let My vineyard look to Me for protection and nurture; let it seek My peace; let it seek My peace" (VOICE). Got it? Beloved in Christ, don't ever look elsewhere for defence, safety and sanctuary, but rather look to God for an assured protection and absolute nurture at all times.

Put In another way, when confronted with any form of opposing and storming force, or when the enemies lay in ambush, or when an evil-programmed intent is unexpectedly formed from a concealed position, let the communication between you and God be strengthened and firmly manifest, for His protection is fully activated to the full assurance of gracious fortifications, even unto the end of time.

Since God had promised to richly reward His faithful vineyard or worshippers in this age - with enabled divine protection, it is needful therefore, to seek and serve Him diligently and sincerely - to the end - by His ennobling grace. Positively motivated, the Psalmist analysed the efficacy of God's protection in this manner:

"The Lord Most High is your fortress. Run to Him for safety, and no terrible disasters will strike you or your home. God will command His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won't hurt your feet on the stones" (Psalm 91:9-12 CEV).

In view of the abundant promises God made to His people, we must gain the precise understanding that we are duty-bound to approach Him with them and pray His will in line with their apt descriptions, such that we truly function in the promises. Given the circumstances that demand His protection, we should readily centre around or focus on God's benevolent shielding, and always be grateful for having what we have in Christ. Stay tuned for the continuation in part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 32:7; Proverbs 2:11; Psalm 46:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

Exuberant Declaration:

I am co-worker in God's service, and I shine forth as the supremely blessed in the Kingdom of my Father in heaven.