September 8

Morning

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from Me. — Hos 14:8 BSB

The fruit we bear as Christians comes from our connection to God. Just as the fruit of a branch is directly connected to the root, so our spiritual fruit comes from our union with Christ. If the branch is cut off, it dies and can no longer produce fruit. In the same way, without being connected to Jesus, we would be barren and unfruitful. Every bunch of grapes begins in the root, travels through the vine, and is formed into fruit. So too, every good work we do originates in Christ and then comes forth in us. O Christian, value this precious connection to Christ, for it is the source of all the fruit you will ever produce. Without Jesus, you would be like a lifeless branch.

Our fruit also comes from God through His spiritual providence. Just as the dew, rain, and sunshine help the grapes grow, so do God’s blessings nourish our souls. Every heavenly gift—whether it’s teaching, strength, or comfort—whispers to us, “From me is your fruit found.” While the root is essential to the growth of fruit, external influences also play a crucial role. How much do we owe to God’s constant provision of grace! Every bit of our usefulness and virtue is owed to Him.

Finally, our fruit comes from God through His wise pruning. Just as a gardener prunes a tree to help it bear more fruit, so God prunes us through trials and challenges. Jesus said, “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.” Since God is the one who brings forth our spiritual graces, let us give Him all the glory for our salvation!

Evening

and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, — Eph 1:19-20 BSB

The resurrection of Christ—and the salvation of sinners—required nothing less than divine power. What should we think of those who believe that conversion is merely a result of human free will or a person’s natural goodness? Only when we see the dead raise themselves from the grave by their own power will we see sinners turning to Christ by their own free will. The preaching or reading of the Word alone cannot bring life; all life-giving power comes from the Holy Spirit.

This power is irresistible. No soldiers or high priests could keep Jesus’ body in the tomb, and even death itself could not hold Him. In the same way, no sin, no evil, no force in hell or on earth can stop the hand of God’s grace when He chooses to save a soul. If God declares, “You shall,” no one can say, “I will not.”

The power that raised Christ from the dead was glorious, bringing honor to God and striking fear into the forces of evil. Similarly, there is great glory in the conversion of every sinner.

This power is also eternal. “Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him.” Likewise, those who are raised to new life in Christ do not return to their old ways. We live for God now, just as Christ lives forever. “Because He lives, we live also.” “For we died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God.” “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too should walk in newness of life.”

Finally, notice the union of our new life with Christ. The same power that raised Jesus works life in us. What a blessing it is to be made alive with Christ!