"A Vineyard of Foaming Wine"

In view of all this light from Jehovah, do we not have every reason to rejoice? Yes, indeed!  Isaiah beautifully describes the joy of Jehovah's people when he writes: "In that day sing to her, you people: 'A vineyard of foaming wine! I, Jehovah, am safeguarding her. Every moment I shall water her.  In order that no one may turn his attention against her, I shall safeguard her even night and day.' " (Isaiah 27:2, 3) Jehovah has cared for his"vineyard," the remnant of the Israel of God, and for their hardworking associates.  (John 15:1-8)   The result has been fruitage that brings glory to his name and causes great rejoicing among his servants on earth.

We can be thrilled that Jehovah's earlier anger against his anointed servants-because of which he allowed them to go into spiritual captivity in 1918-has ceased.  Jehovah himself says: "There is no rage that I have.  Who will give me thornbushes and weeds in battle?  I will step on such. I will set such on fire at the same time. Otherwise  let him take hold of my stronghold, let him make peace with me; peace let him make with me."  (Isaiah 27:4, 5)  To ensure that his vines continue to produce an abundance of "foaming wine,"  Jehovah crushes and consumes any weedlike influence that could corrupt them.  Hence, let no one endanger the welfare of the Christian congregation!  let all 'take hold of Jehovah's stronghold,' seeking his favor and protection.  In so doing, we make peace with God-something of such importance that Isaiah mentions it twice. -Psalm 85:1, 2, 8; Romans 5:1.

The blessings continue:  "In the coming days Jacob will take root, Israel will put forth blossoms and actually sprout; and they will simply fill the surface of the productive land with produce."  (Isaiah 27:6) This verse has been fulfilled since 1919, providing wonderful evidence of Jehovah's power.  Anointed Christians have filled the earth with "produce," nourishing spiritual food.  In the midst of a corrupt world, they joyfully preserve God's elevated standards.  And Jehovah continues  to bless them with increase. As a result, their millions of companions, the other sheep, "are rendering [God] sacred service day and night."  (Revelation 7:15)  May we never lose sight of the grand privilege of partaking of "produce" and sharing it with others!

In these critical times, when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the national groups, are we not thankful that Jehovah sheds spiritual light upon his people?  (Isaiah 60:2; Romans 2:19; 13:12)  For all who accept it, such light means peace of mind and joy now and nothing less than everlasting life in the future.  With good reason, then,we who love the light lift up; our hearts in praise to Jehovah and say with the psalmist: "Jehovah is the stronghold of my life.  Of whom shall I be in dread? Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong.  Yes, hope in Jehovah." -Psalm 27:1b, 14.

Next time:Does Praying Do Any Good?

The Watchtower,2000