Precious Clusters of Grapes

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My Name. I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts; a people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; who sacrifice in gardens and burn incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend the night in the tombs; who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.” Isaiah 65:1-5

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me” the Apostle Paul quotes this passage in Romans 10:20. Those who found the Lord without asking or seeking Him, are Gentiles. He uses the high value that the Gentiles place on Messiah to “spank” His own people for rejecting Messiah.

I have witnessed a similar scenario play out among us Gentile Christians. Here in the USA, so many “Christians” reject calls to serve the Lord, but when I took the Gospel to China, I knew university students who rode their bikes as far as 6 miles each week to attend worship services. They also risked being arrested and losing government benefits for doing so, but they highly valued Christ and served Him with gladness and with grateful hearts. They were authentic not fake Christians.

When people treat the Lord in a undesirable fashion, it makes Him angry. If we love the Lord, it should have a similar impact on us... the thought of not serving Him should be unacceptable.

“Thus says the Lord: as the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,’ So, will I do for My servants’ sake... for My people who have sought Me.” Isaiah 65:8-10

Those who serve the Lord are as precious to Him as a cluster of grapes that produces wine.

“But you are those who forsake the Lord, who forget My holy mountain... I will number you for the sword... because, when I called, you did not answer. When I spoke, you did not hear, but did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight. Therefore thus says the Lord God: behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and wail for grief of spirit. You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; for the Lord God will slay you and call His servants by another Name; so that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth...” Isaiah 65:11-16

The Lord made provisions for those who serve Him, but not for those who abandoned Him. The Lord gave His servants a new name so they would not be associated with those who called themselves His but were not. For example, instead of believers nowadays being called Jews, we are now called Christians. But as more and more people call themselves Christians but do not serve Him, some of God’s servants prefer to call themselves believers or followers of Christ.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. ...My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. ...The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, says the Lord.” Isaiah 65:17-25

The Lord has promised a marvelous future to those who serve Him. One day, we won’t remember the pains of this present life. We will be glad and rejoice forever. No more tears. Even wild animals will be tame in those days. Harm will never happen to us again.

“Thus says the Lord: heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word.” Isaiah 66:1-2

Who catches the Lord’s eye? He or she who is contrite (truly grieved to disappoint the Lord) and trembles at His Word – takes God seriously.

“The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies.” Isaiah 66:14

To be right with the Lord is a desirable place to be whereas to be at odds with Him is not.

“For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your descendants and your name remain.” Isaiah 66:22

To be forever with the Lord is the most desirable outcome of this life.

“And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” Isaiah 66:24

Jesus quoted this passage when He spoke of hell. It appears in Mark 9:44, 9:46, and 9:48. The “worm” symbolizes decay and corruption that never ends, and the “fire” represents the unending nature of the torment.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us by Your Spirit to always be precious clusters of grapes to you. May we serve You with gladness and glory in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen!”