Daily Journal: 22 November

Wilting and Withering

Isn’t it easy to wilt and wither when natural expectations are let down? In relationships, in any organisational environment, we should be able to trust and rely on something or someone, but we can’t if the outworking is not true to the premise or the principle or the words spoken.

Jesus condemned this very thing and called judgment on it.

Matthew 21:18-22 (NET)

Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. After noticing a fig tree by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves [The fig tree is a variation on the picture of a vine as representing the nation; see Isaiah 5:1-7] . He said to it, “Never again will there be fruit from you!” And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.”

This was a teaching moment, it wasn’t about Jesus being petulant. This fig tree represented a nation that looked fruitful but was hypocritical and oppressive. Jesus’ judgment over the fig tree symbolised judgment over the nation. Jesus had the right to judge because He was, and is, its Creator and Redeemer.

Isaiah 5 describes the beautiful love God has for His people but His disappointment in the condition of their heart towards Him.

Isaiah 5:1-2 (NIV)

I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

God’s love for every person is this picture of a vineyard. When we believe in Him, and do not doubt His love, when we work in the vineyard He’s given us to tend, alongside Him, we are told we can ask anything in keeping with His will, aligning with His character of goodness, believing in faith, and it will be done! Wilting and withering isn’t an option because the premise is based on God’s goodness, righteousness, justice, faithfulness and truth and our belief.

Jesus went about doing good. Every person who came to Him, He healed. He taught the truth of God’s Kingdom. His Word is truth and we can rely on what that means for our life.

We are to be fruitful vines, a fruitful fig tree, believing in God’s power, God’s truth, and living effective lives. When we are in need, we can come and pray and believe that what we pray for, we will receive.