ODJ: a love song

June 4, 2014 

READ: Isaiah 5:1-7 

Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard (v.1).

The lyrics of one of my favourite worship songs lifts up the idea of praising Jesus with all that I am. When I sing it, my focus is solely on my Saviour who sacrificed His life that we might receive true life, completely on the One whose heart beats with passionate love for us. As I sing the beautiful chorus, it helps me express my deep, deep love for Jesus.

Isaiah once wrote down the lyrics to a love song about God: “Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard” (Isaiah 5:1). The prophet told of God’s great love and what He had done for His people. God is the active owner, designer, digger, builder, planter, provider and protector of His vineyard (vv.1-2).

Having done everything necessary to get the vines to grow well, the owner expected a bountiful harvest. Instead of sweet grapes, however, “the grapes that grew were bitter” (v.2).

Next, God withheld His protection, and the vines were trampled and destroyed by wild animals (v.5). Without His provision of rain, the vines died. “I [commanded] the clouds to drop no rain on it” (v.6). This reveals that the vineyard belonged to the Lord. He could do with it as He chose.

God is looking for good fruit in our lives. Is the kind of fruit you’re producing good or bad? What’s the state of your vineyard?

There’s no doubt that Jesus loves you. But are you deeply in love with Him? We can sing a love song, but our heart might actually be cold. Do you love Jesus as much as He loves you? With Isaiah, we can confidently declare, “Now I will sing for the one I love” (v.1). And may we do so with a passion that reflects the love He has revealed to us! —K.T. Sim
365-day plan› Jonah 3:1-4:11

MORE
Read Hosea 14:2, Hebrews 13:15-16, Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 1:10 to see the kind of good fruit we can offer to God. 
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Jesus said that “a tree is identified by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33). What good fruit are you producing that tells people you’re a Christian? How will you express your love to Jesus today?