DAILY READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23
And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. Isaiah 1:8
A cottage in a vineyard conjures up an appealing picture. But here it is different. As harvest neared, a vineyard owner would erect a small, temporary booth so that his workers could be on site constantly to protect the grapes, cucumbers or other crops. However, as soon as harvest was finished, the booth would be abandoned and in the wind, without maintenance, it would soon fall down and become a sorry sight. If we are not alert our testimony may collapse under the rigours of worldly affairs. Let us therefore keep close to the Lord and maintain relationships with Him, read the word, pray and fellowship with saints.—Roy Hill
Thus, all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That earth may hear the grateful song, my voice unwearied raises.—Johann J. Schütz