HE CAN ALSO TURN THE WINE INTO WATER! -- Devotional for August 2, from "Good Seeds"

Jesus said, “Fill the pots with water, then draw some back out and take it to the headwaiter.” When the man tasted this water which had become wine, he said, “You have kept the best wine for last” (John 2:7-10). Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging, and whoever is deceived (intoxicated) by it is not wise. Give strong drink unto him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter of heart (Proverbs 20:1; 31:6). Woe unto those who are heroes in drinking wine, and valiant in mixed drinks (Isaiah 5:22). “Stop drinking only water, Timothy, but use a little wine for your stomach, because of your frequent illnesses” (I Timothy 5:23). Do not be drunk with wine, for that will ruin your life; but rather, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

What is the lesson God would have us learn from the reading of this medley of verses from the Bible on the subject of alcoholic beverages? The wedding party ran out of wine. If Jesus were T-totally against drinking He would have given a sigh of relief – but He worked a miracle instead, didn’t He, to keep the wine flowing at the reception. And yet it is universally known, and clearly taught in Scripture, that alcoholic beverages, as pleasant to the palate and pleasing at the party as they may be, have the capacity, upon inordinate consumption, to distort judgment, destroy relationships and property, and even deliver untimely death. Still, though the conscientious young Pastor Timothy sought not to endanger his testimony or his own health, through alcohol, he was encouraged by his mentor to drink a little wine, for the very purpose of improving his health. Drinking may be defensible when indulged in socially, consumed in moderation, and certainly when used medicinally, but it cannot be condoned when it becomes a means of private self-indulgence and addiction. In all of history, surely nothing known to man can be said to have inflicted greater harm to the individual, his friends, his family, or his faith than the abuse of alcohol! I recently viewed a U-tube recording of a man singing a most unusual song. It had an obvious country western flavor, but rather than a concert or bar setting, he was in a room, surrounded by friends, some singing along, others unable to join in with anything more than tears. This is what he sang: Tonight I’m as low as any man can go. I’m down and I can’t fall much farther. Once upon a time You turned the water into wine. Now I’m on my knees, I’m turning to You, Father – Could you help me turn the wine back into water?” Right now will you plead for such a miracle from Jesus on behalf of someone you know who is a POW in the battle of the bottle?