Re: Verse reading—John 15:1-17 (day six)
“He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more”–v 2. “The Lord was ADDING to their number day by day those who were being saved”–Acts 2:47. It is a familiar face of God to us. Giver. Provider. He ADDS people to our congregation, friends to our lives, money to our bank account. Do we also recognize Him when He SUBTRACTS? When He removes things from our lives so that we do not grow self-sufficient or proud? (see 2 Corinthians 12.) When He prunes away parts of our lives, creates discomfort–all in the pursuit of greater fruitfulness? “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord”, said Job in the midst of his heartbreak. (Job 1:21.) May we be as quick to recognize our Father’s hand in times of change and difficulty. He adds and subtracts. We trust Him, either way.
