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Topic: Planted To Be Fruitful
[DCLM Daily Manna 13 June 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Ezekiel 17:11-24 (KJV)
Key Verse: “In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and is shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit and a goodly cedar; and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell” (Ezekiel 17:23).
MESSAGE:
The Lord sent a message to the rebellious house of Israel and gave interpretation of the riddle of two eagles and the vine. God spoke of the exile of the king and princes in Babylon and the covenant made with the king of Babylon who was the first eagle. Unfortunately, Israel broke the covenant by rebelling and going to Egypt for help. This was symbolized by the second eagle who could not secure her from the Babylonian oppression. Judgment of death in exile was pronounced on the king of Israel and the defeat of Pharaoh’s army. The Lord also was annoyed with Israel for breaking His covenant and decided to plant the vine that would bear fruits and shelter all fowls of every wing, thus signifying the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom encompassing all mankind.
The Lord expected Israel to be a noble vine above all other nations but she became degenerate, despising oaths and breaking covenants. Therefore, God sent His only begotten Son, who is the Vine planted to accommodate all mankind through the redemptive work at Calvary. The redeemed are therefore to flourish and be fruitful.
Moreover, Jesus calls Himself the true Vine and the redeemed (believers) the branches (John 15:1,2). As we come to the Lord, the Vine that accepts all, we must bear fruit of repentance first of all. Thereafter, we must bear the moral fruits of character, love for God and neighbours, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, lowliness, humility and temperance. The believer is also expected to be fruitful in soul-winning and that the fruits will abide in Christ. Trees that bear fruits need purging to bear more fruits. This is done by the word of God we read and hear daily which refines the inner man to draw us closer to God, make us more righteous and holy. Examine your life for fruits so that you will not be disappointed and cut off on the last day.
Thought For The Day: Fruit-bearing is the mark of true Christians.
The Bible In One Year: 2 Samuel 19-20
