Deuteronomy 28: 8
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. NIV
At this point, the Israelites have wandered the dessert for 40 years. They’ve been true nomads. 40 years! I can’t imagine. And, before that, they were living in Egypt, where life was beyond hard.
Now, God is promising them blessing upon blessing as he gives them the promised land — if they are obedient, their worries will be over.
This verse gives such hope to me in 2010 … I am thinking of how much more it must have meant to a people that had endured so much.
His blessing on everything I put my hand to …
This ties right back to John 15:5 — He is the vine, I am the branch. If I abide in Him, I will bear much fruit.
Years ago, before we bought our house, an invasive vine took root in our front yard. There are at least 10 places where the thing has roots. I have dug and dug and dug … a few times, I think I’ve gotten all of one of the root balls, but, within a few months, a pleasant green little vine will pop its head up again in that same spot.
I’ve hacked them, I’ve sprayed them with weed killer, I’ve consulted other friends who garden … all to no avail.
I’ve finally given up. The vines were here before we were, they will be here long after we are gone, and the best that I can hope to do is to coexist with them.
But, I do keep them cut back. If I don’t, within about three weeks time during growing season, they are so vigorous that they will overtake whatever is near them.
I never thought of those vines as being a metaphor for the family of God until this morning. Those vines are blessed … wherever they grow, (whatever they put their hand to) they are the victors. I can cut off the branches, but, I cannot kill the vine.
I’ve gained a whole new perspective. The next time I’m out cutting them, I’ll be thanking God for His blessings and His assurances and His abiding, everlasting love.
That’s what I’ll think about today.
365 Days of Peace 
That is a very good analogy about how God has blessed your roots. And when I tried to get Him to bless your roots in my yard, my efforts were futile. That brings to my mind thoughts about how we should not wish we had things that others have. You did not want your ‘roots’ and I thought they would be perfect for me. God left them thriving with you and did not bless them for my life. Hmmmm. He really does know His complete plan and it is good to watch how He carries it out in our lives!
What an interesting way to look at it! Here’s hoping the rest of your week goes really, really well!