Hope in a Forgotten Vineyard

Hope in a forgotten vineyard seems remote. Afterall, it was planted about twenty years ago. Then life happened and the vineyard got neglected. Dry skeletons of decaying vines are the only remains of the once productive orchard. Some are still attached to the trellis.

Wild blackberries, trees and brambles grow in the rows meant for grapes. The trellis system, in need of some repair, is ready to provide support once again.

But the question remains: Can these dry vines live? Only the Oklahoma State Agriculture Agent knows. And of course, God.

Yet I wonder. Each spring, new shoots emerge where a once thriving, growing and productive vines produced a harvest of grapes. New hope emerges from live roots that survived despite the summer heat and general neglect.

Dry Bones, Dry vines

Like the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14, only God can bring hope to the neglected vineyard.

“The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”” (Ezekiel 37:1-4 NLT).

In this passage Ezekiel is instructed by God to prophesy over the bones. They live and are filled with life and breath from God. The dry bones, indicative of Israel after rebellion and idol worship are revived and live again in communion with God as He always intended.

God desires renewal, and new life for His children.

Hope Remains

But hope remains in the forgotten vineyard. A fresh new leaf appears as the dry vines and branches are removed. The vines wait for the Master Viticulturist’s (grape grower) touch. The life in the vine holds the promise and assurance of a future grape harvest.

© 2025 Nanette M. Holloway—All Rights Reserved

If you enjoy vineyards, you may enjoy my devotional:

Finding Delight in the Vineyard: Cling to the True Vine