Fruit Covering

 If you have recently gone past a vineyard, you may have seen the rows of grapes covered by netting. This netting is a critical tool in protecting the fruit of the vine. Certain threats can reduce the yield of the crop and negatively affect the quality of the grapes. Vineyard netting safeguards the grapes from birds, insects, and harsh weather conditions. Vine growers want their crop to reach optimal ripeness without damage.
 
Netting is usually applied to the vines before the stage of fruit development called veraison. This is a time when the color of the grapes changes and the fruit softens. It means that the sugar levels in the fruit are rising, and the acidity levels are falling. In addition, the size of the fruit is increasing, and the aroma is developing. All these signs mean that the harvest is about thirty to sixty days away.
 
We can trace the history of God's desire for us to bear fruit back to creation. Genesis 1:27 talks about the creation of mankind. In verse 28 it says, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'" From the loins of Abraham came God's chosen people, Israel. When He brought them into the Promised Land, the Israelites had an up and down relationship with the Lord, but He remained faithful to His covenant with them. The prophets frequently refer to Israel as a vineyard. The restoration of Israel is written about in Isaiah 27. "In that day sing to her, 'A vineyard of red wine! I the Lord, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day.'--Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." (Verses 2, 3, & 6)
 
The secret to bearing fruit is in one’s relationship with the Lord. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7 & 8) In Zechariah 8, the prophet declares God's desire to be faithful to His people. He tells them, "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be My people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God... The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people...I will save you, and you will be a blessing..." (Verses 7, 8, 12 & 13)
 
In the New Testament we can read the words of Jesus about bearing fruit. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful...I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15: 1, 2 & 5) Like the children of Israel, we are not perfect. However, Jesus made provision for every sin. It is His love that protects or covers us. The prophet Isaiah gives us the Lord's response: "I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand—I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundation of the earth..." (Isaiah 51:16)
 
Just as the Lord loves us, He calls us to love others. Let us remember the words of Jesus in John 15:16 and 17. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other." We are meant to bear the fruit of the Spirit talked about in Galatians 5:22 and 23, ("Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.") and we can count on God to cover and protect it.