August
15
Wednesday
There is no cluster to eat; there is no early fruit which my soul desired. (Micah 7:1)
Seeking Fruit
Micah disclosed to Israel God’s displeasure of their religious service; and that righteousness was what He sought for in them. “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Mic. 6:8). Micah entered into the feelings of Jehovah, when he expressed his desire to eat the first ripe fruit. Because of their sins, God had cursed their crops. Metaphorically speaking, there was no spiritual fruit which every servant of God desires to see in those to whom he has sown the word of God.
“And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away” (Mt. 21:19 kjv). Like Micah, the Lord desired fruit from the fig tree (Israel), but found nothing to satisfy His soul—but outward formality represented by the leaves. He pronounced judgment on it, for “the flesh profits nothing” (Jn. 6:63) and is condemned forever.
The same is seen in the apostle Paul when he wrote, “Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Phil. 4:17 kjv). The great apostle of the Gentiles, like a good husbandman, had labored among the saints, not for monetary gain, but because he desired fruit that would be credited to their account. He had told the Philippians that it was “God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13 kjv). If there is to be fruit for God’s pleasure, we need the power of the Spirit of God. May the beautiful cluster of the fruit of the Spirit be produced in my life and yours!
Richard A. Barnett