They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept - [Song of Solomon 1:6]
Growing up as the daughter of a preacher man, many times I have heard persons remark, "Preachers' children are the worst children". Then on occasions I have listened to complaints coming from spouses, "My husband is the best carpenter/builder there is, but this door been on one hinge for ages", "My wife sewing for everyone, and I been asking her to tack one button on my shirt over and over again". Neglect is the driving force behind decadence and he that knoweth and doeth not shall be beaten with many stripes so declares the holy word!
I have heard complaints coming particularly from men folk of wives who come home well past midnight from church. They further complain that the stove is always cold, and pots are empty, and the bedroom has become the bored room.
It is one thing for someone to remark negatively about another just for the sake of being mean and unkind, but when that which is spoken is as a result of acting and going against the grain, the cap fits the offender. So here it is in our text today no one other than the transgressor has to speak about the truth of the matter. "They made me keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept."
How many times have we labored continuously on behalf of others and leave our loved ones and surroundings unattended? Are we just to keep other people's property clean and not clean that which is ours? Are we to look after the health of others and pay no attention to warning signs sent by the body? Why must we gather the bounty for others and then be sent away empty-handed? Then, are we to keep on pushing others into the pools of opportunities only to have doors shut in our faces and no remembrance of what has been done to advance their cause? What about adhering to every law in the city of your visitation only to come back home and break every traffic and environmental law in your land?
The Song of Solomon, that is also referred to as the 'Song of Songs', is the last of the five poetical books of the Old Testament -- Job, The Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. It is annually read by the Jews in their synagogues at the feast of the Passover. There are differences of opinion as to the interpretation thereof, but the bottom line is that the love of Christ for the redeemed church as compared to in The New Testament is as the love of a bride and groom at their wedding.
What is your life like as you read? Are you weary and worn from toiling in other people's vineyards and there is nothing happening for you? Why are you giving your all and getting nothing in return? Have you educated your children at the sacrifice of you being deprived of the basic necessities of life only to have them not even call to see how you are doing? If you say someone made you, does that mean the situation you are in was not really your choice and there was nothing you could do to improve your upward mobility? I remember some of the last words my late father said to me: "Any water they put you in, you will swim". And, oh, how I proved that to be so. The "theys" of this world can make life so miserable for you. Only God can take you out of their snares and clutches.
I pray today if you are in a situation and aware of what is happening, you call on God and tell him all about your problems and sure enough he will answer and be your deliverer. Do not keep company with those who are trying to turn you away from that which is right -- away from your God for the lust of this world. When you are caught in Satan's trap, your vineyard of love, peace and joy is taken away from you. Your hunger and thirst for righteousness is overgrown by the vines of hate, malice, injustice and greed, and your focus is turned to blindness. Today is your new day of awareness and change.
o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 242-394-0376 242-393-7753 with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!

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