The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion

The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 21 August 2020 – Spiritual Pruning

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TOPIC: Spiritual Pruning

Read: Zechariah 3:8-10 (NKJV)

  1. ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, For they are a wondrous sign; For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.
  2. For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone [are] seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
  3. In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘Everyone will invite his neighbor Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ “

THE MESSAGE:

Though painful, pruning is necessary and gainful for everyone who desires to bear fruit in his lifetime. It is often said that no pain, no gain. Today’s text reveals to us that peace and prosperity of the remnants – those who returned from Babylonian captivity – depended largely on their moral cleansing. Spiritual cleansing must come before spiritual blessings. The messenger called the ‘Branch’ in our passage is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ whom God would send to remove the iniquity of His people in one day (verses 8-9). This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ came into the world to die upon the cross. He took away our sins and laid them on the cross for our sake thereby opening the gate of God’s blessings unto all His children.

Child of God, your walk with the Lord will be an exercise in futility if you are not grafted in Him as a branch, for nourishment, support and regular pruning (Romans 11:16-24 & John 15:5-6). The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature and old things are passed away. For you to experience new results in all areas of your life: marriage, business and ministry, you must submit to Christ for spiritual pruning. He loves you and wants you to bear much fruit so that His name will be glorified through your life, but the old nature must give way to His glory. Beloved, what sin are you indulging in? It will make you unproductive and sick, but if you yield your life to Jesus today, He will prune you and make you fruitful.

PRAYER: Dear Father, prune my life today for me to bear much fruit to Your praise and glory in Jesus name. Amen.