Certain things cannot be timed by a calendar
or a clock. The picture presented to us in this verse, is in regard God’s timing
of judgement. We cannot tell by an exact date, the time of grapes ripening on
the vine, it is done by observation. We can at best approximate that somewhere
during a period of time, we will be able to see ‘signs’ of the fruit maturing
and becoming ready for harvesting. One of the signs is after the flower blossom
has past, and the grapes are perfect in shape and size, but still green. This
is prior to harvest, and while there is yet time needed for the maturing and
sweetening of the grapes, the promise of a healthy and abundant crop is already
evident. In this same context we can discern the matter of the judgement of
God. Not by a specific date and time, but by the signs which surround us. Many
have set dates based on calculations they have made, and have attempted to foresee
the action which God has planned and is in His mind. All such attempts have
failed in ascertaining precisely, those things which God has shown us only in
part. We have been told in scripture some of the signs to look for, and what
processes take place before the hand of God will intervene, but we know not ‘the
day nor the hour’ of the events which must come. There are without doubt all
sorts of reasons which can be raised and rationalised, as to the ‘why’ God has
chosen to deal with the timing of future events in this manner. One day we will
fully comprehend. In the meanwhile, as we observe what we can ‘read’ as
fulfilment of the signs given to us, it is not unusual for us to feel like
somehow God has ‘forgotten’ what is written or is simply ‘late’. Neither would
be correct, for the exact time of the fulfilment of His promises and warnings,
belongs to Him alone. We don’t need to know the details of the future, we just
need to know and trust the One who knows the details of the future, and be content in the
assurance that His word and promises will be fulfilled, ‘when the bud is
perfect’!
http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion
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