Friday, 15 May: 2 Ki. 20:1-21; Pro. 12:14; Jn. 15:1-8
According to John, the key to bearing spiritual fruit is to abide in Christ. It is essential to remember that our fruitfulness comes solely from the nourishment of the True Vine.
It seems that Hezekiah may have missed out on this principle when he boasted to the Babylonians about his prosperity. Here was a man who had received a miraculous blessing from the Lord--recovery from fatal illness, and the promise of fifteen years added to his life!
It might be said that he had "I" trouble in his old age. In contrast to his wicked father, he had tried to live righteously in his youth. Did he feel that because of his efforts, he deserved the blessing of God? Lord, preserve us from the presumptuous spirit that can overtake us when we forget that our apparent strength is merely the evidence of God's grace overcoming our weaknesses.
According to John, the key to bearing spiritual fruit is to abide in Christ. It is essential to remember that our fruitfulness comes solely from the nourishment of the True Vine.
It seems that Hezekiah may have missed out on this principle when he boasted to the Babylonians about his prosperity. Here was a man who had received a miraculous blessing from the Lord--recovery from fatal illness, and the promise of fifteen years added to his life!
It might be said that he had "I" trouble in his old age. In contrast to his wicked father, he had tried to live righteously in his youth. Did he feel that because of his efforts, he deserved the blessing of God? Lord, preserve us from the presumptuous spirit that can overtake us when we forget that our apparent strength is merely the evidence of God's grace overcoming our weaknesses.
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