In these troubling times (is if in this fallen world there have not been issues all along) it is comforting to know that God is a very present help in times of trouble and is with us every moment. We often fail to remember, and fall down in worship to His Almighty power and presence, that He not only created the world and all that is in it, He nourishes, watches over, harvests, and brings to fruition the things he blesses. He loves us and prunes us, and keeps us under His sustenance for the good times and those not to our liking because He has a job for us to do where we are. The Bible says he has prepared the way for us so we can carry out His purposes. We are His hands and feet and He guides our every footstep.
I’ve run across two verses this morning that bring me to write about them. One says: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you.” I an relate to this. Plants usually do better when they are shaped and pruned. The word prune was one of the words in today’s connection. It made me think of this verse.
The second is one I’m using in my newest book as a chapter header.
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan,
I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources,
He will give you mighty inner strength
through His Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:14-16
I see a relationship between these two scriptures as I plan my day today. I am in prayer for several specific things. One, God’s mercy and attention to my sister’s plight in a rehab facility in upstate New York, facing entrance into full time nursing home care. It means loss of her home, her beloved pets, her collections, and her freedom to come and go as she wishes. Yet, she is loved and will find a safe place when all is said and done. I am thankful for those whose task is to care for her health and well-being and safety. It id a time of decision making, and I am thankful to our other sister and her husbnad who are manipulating difficult territory to make all this happen. I am praying for several people who are ill, some with temporary things like COVID, recovery from surgery, and other conditions. May they be wholesome and even better after this temporary pruning. I am praying for travel mercies for our pastor’s family today after their son’s successful delicate surgery in Minneapolis. I am thankful for the surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and staff who attended this delicate surgery and for God’s protection for MJ. I am thankful that a dear friend is recovering form a stroke and for patience as she recovers. God has her hand in His.
While the world looks like it is raging in a downward spiral with wars, rumors of wars, an invasion of illegal aliens, squabbling
among political candidates, crimes, inflation and all the other sins of man’s self-centeredness, it is good to rely on the eternal Father who sees all, calls his creation to Him, and promises He will bear our burdens and give us rest. I rely on that promise today and always. I hope you do too.
Therefore, ask God to prune the unnecessary and fit us to bloom beautifully for Him wherever He has placed us this day.
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