In Luke 13:6-9, we read: “He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then said he to the keeper of his vineyard, Look, for three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? But he answered and said unto him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”
“Let’s finish the story, Grandfather.” He nodded.
“‘He’ll never amount to anything. Look at his history,' the sheriff said.
“‘I don’t agree. I’ll never give up.’ His mother lifted her chin and walked away. She'd never believe her son was no good. She heard the Teacher tell the parable of the fig tree.
“When the owner of the vineyard demanded the tree be cut down, the keeper of the vineyard asked for more time. ‘Let me work the soil, fertilize it, tend it,’ he said.
“She would do the same for her boy. He was worth more than a million fig trees. When he was a young child, she’d dedicated him to the Lord. Was she not his keeper?
“She fell to her knees, asked the Lord for wisdom and guidance. She wept as she prayed. ‘You can do anything, Lord.’
“She asked her friend for prayer support. ‘What if He doesn’t answer your prayer?’
“‘He will, but if He doesn’t answer as I ask, I know with confidence He knows best. I trust Him.’” Grandfather looked up.
“What happened?” Timmy said, his eyebrows dipping. Grandfather shrugged.
“We’re not told the end of the story but our Lord Jesus knows I need to get down to business--down on my knees. It’s not enough to chat with the Owner of the Vineyard. I have to show Him I care. He knows me, what I am capable of but He wants me to see what He can do when I trust Him.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake me even when I'm the most pitiful tree in the vineyard. His love for me, the most powerful ingredient, is the secret of bearing fruit. He offers His amazing love to you. Won’t you come?
“‘He’ll never amount to anything. Look at his history,' the sheriff said.“‘I don’t agree. I’ll never give up.’ His mother lifted her chin and walked away. She'd never believe her son was no good. She heard the Teacher tell the parable of the fig tree.
“When the owner of the vineyard demanded the tree be cut down, the keeper of the vineyard asked for more time. ‘Let me work the soil, fertilize it, tend it,’ he said.
“She would do the same for her boy. He was worth more than a million fig trees. When he was a young child, she’d dedicated him to the Lord. Was she not his keeper?
“She fell to her knees, asked the Lord for wisdom and guidance. She wept as she prayed. ‘You can do anything, Lord.’
“She asked her friend for prayer support. ‘What if He doesn’t answer your prayer?’
“‘He will, but if He doesn’t answer as I ask, I know with confidence He knows best. I trust Him.’” Grandfather looked up.
“What happened?” Timmy said, his eyebrows dipping. Grandfather shrugged.
“We’re not told the end of the story but our Lord Jesus knows I need to get down to business--down on my knees. It’s not enough to chat with the Owner of the Vineyard. I have to show Him I care. He knows me, what I am capable of but He wants me to see what He can do when I trust Him.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises never to leave nor forsake me even when I'm the most pitiful tree in the vineyard. His love for me, the most powerful ingredient, is the secret of bearing fruit. He offers His amazing love to you. Won’t you come?