How to know a good vinedresser

A vinedresser is one who prunes, trains, and cultivates vines. A vinedresser is more than a mere farmer. Grapes are more than an annual crop. The vinedresser remains with his vines for many years.  He comes to know each one in a personal way. He knows how the vine is faring from year to year and which ones are more productive or vigorous than others. He knows what they respond to and what special care certain ones need. Every vine has its own personality. And the vinedresser comes to know it over the years.

Oh Lord, you have searched me and You know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise,

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down,

You are familiar with all my ways.  (Psalm 139:1-3) 

A good vinedresser plants his vines where they can receive full sunlight--all day long. Less light leads to lower fruit production, poorer fruit quality, increased powdery mildew, and fruit rot. Adequate sunlight is very important.

The entrance of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.  (Psalm 139.130)

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46)

Good soil drainage and adequate water are also very important. Roots will grow deep--up to 15 feet deep. The vinedresser must closely monitor the vines to ensure each is receiving the correct amount of water and irrigation during the growing season. Failure to provide adequate water could lead to immature vines and pest problems.

"I, the Lord, keep it,

I water it every moment;

Lest any hurt it,

I keep it night and day." (Isaiah 27:3) 

Keeping pests away from burgeoning vines is vital to maintaining the vineyard. To effectively eradicate pests from the crop, the vinedresser must have knowledge of the type of pests common to the region as well as the type of pests attracted to the particular grape species. 

No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:10-11)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

You preserve my life:

You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes,

With Your right hand You save me.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever--

 do not abandon the works of Your hands. (Psalm 138:7-8)

Pruning is one of the most important tasks of a vinedresser. Pruning removes dead, diseased or stunted fruits to make room for new growth, ultimately leading to a healthy and productive vine. The pruning process begins very shortly after planting, usually within a few weeks.

Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

  

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 38-39)

A good vinedresser will know when the grapes are ready for harvest. During the ripening phase, the grapes lose their bright green color and begin to take on mature hues. The grapes also soften and rapidly increase in size as the vine begins to pump sugars into the fruit, while acidity starts to decrease. 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14-15)

As you can see, a proper vinedresser is committed to his vineyard. He will watch over it night and day. In this way, with patience, diligence, and care, he will reap a bountiful harvest.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,and on His law he meditates day and night.He is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:2-3)

Day 6 of Abide: 31 Days of Resting in Him
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