When What God Wants To Do Just Isn’t Possible

Have you ever had a favorite dining spot? But then new management rolled in and leading talents marched out the door, taking all the quality with them.

You went back a time or two–hoping against all hope–that it had recovered, only to have those hopes dashed to bits. Then, one bright day, you heard that it sold and was under new management. With trepidation you tip toed back into the place, longing to sing its praises once more.

Haven’t we all experienced unmet expectations?

None more so than God!

“Let me sing now for my beloved

A song of my beloved about His vineyard”

(Isaiah 5:1 NASB).

God planted a vineyard. He lovingly prepared and provided all that was needed. He, therefore, expected it to produce grapes. But it produced injustice. It yielded rottenness.

He wanted to sing over them, but couldn't possibly. Not that God couldn't possibly do it. He couldn't rightfully do it with integrity.

The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the nation of Israel,

and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.

And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed;

 for righteousness, but heard cries of distress”

(Isaiah 5:7 NIV).

Alec Motyer noted that the Hebrew best translates verse 7 in this way: “[God] looked for the lawful and behold the awful; the rightful and behold the frightful.”

The most poignant question, asked and answered, is: “What more could He have done for His vineyard that He had not already done?” (Isaiah 5:4).

The question, and answer, stand absolute in heaven and earth: “What more is there that He hasn’t already done for His people?”

A grievous fault noted in Isaiah’s scroll is that Israel did not “regard the deeds of the Lord or notice the work of His hands” (Isaiah 5:12).

Consider all the Lord has done to make us fruitful. To make us vibrantly lush and alive.

Do we yield in kind? Even fractionally, in accordance to the measure graced?

Such honest evaluation should yield a response—one of which is a commitment to live righteous lives that reflect the life of Jesus.

God amply provided for Israel, His vineyard. He planted potential. And then waited to sing over her. But His rightful expectations went unmet. That longing was dashed to bits. But He did not abandon the work of His hands. Or leave His promise unfulfilled. Because the love song of His Beloved Son was still being written. But that ballad, the greatest love song ever composed, has been arranged.

Now that He has planted the seed of faith in your heart, and the Spirit is cultivating fruit, His longing to sing over the redeemed of the Lord has resumed.

Give Him the score paper of your life to compose a glorious symphony. And join in the song with robust thanksgiving.