March 1

When I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? - Isaiah 5:4.

“WHAT,” says God, “could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?” He has done much for us, and he has a right to expect much from us. Though we are not able fully to discharge the obligations under which he has placed us, yet we ought to be sensible of them and show that we are willing to make adequate returns, and to be always asking, “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?”

Therefore we may observe that God expects us to make suitable returns, and is disappointed if we do not. But can God ever be disappointed? Here we must make a distinction between what is a fact and what is a right. As to the question of fact, he is not disappointed, he cannot be disappointed. No event nor circumstance can occur to surprise, or even to inform him. But as to the question of right, he may, he has a right to be disappointed. What culture has he bestowed upon his vineyard! He therefore justly complains, “What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?” “These three years I have gone seeking fruit and found none.” He does expect gratitude and a sense of obligation where he has conferred benefits.

Alas! what instances of ingratitude, unkindness, and unfruitfulness compel him to say, “When I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?”