I was rocking gently to and fro on the garden swing, alternatively stroking and patting the contented little dog curled up on my lap, and watching the summer breeze flirting with the peach and cream blossoms on the nearby rambling rose tree. Into my heart, from the deep recesses of my memory, flowed an ancient chorus:
Sweeter as the years go by,
Sweeter as the years go by.
Richer, fuller, deeper,
Yahshua’s love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
-Mrs C.H. Morris
I sang quietly for a few minutes, wondering at the weight of deep contentment filling my heart. As I mused, I saw how contentment is laid down in the heart, layer upon layer, as we live, walk and work with Yahweh.
Yahshua told the story of a landowner looking for casual labour for his vineyard. From early morning he went regularly to the marketplace hiring labourers, and promising them the same remuneration, regardless of hours worked. At the end of the day, when everyone was paid, inevitably there were complaints [Matthew 20:1-15]. But the landowner wouldn’t be moved from his decision. “Do you begrudge my generosity?” he asked the complainants. Interestingly, Yahshua taught that the kingdom of heaven works on these principles, too.
I’ve been privileged to spend my life in fulltime service, and count myself blessed to be among those who have ‘borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day’ [v12]. Such times are hard times, difficult, demanding, but they’re part of a heavenly process which leads to spiritual growth and greater maturity. We’ll have wilderness experiences, where we’ll learn to rely on Yahweh and His strength. We may feel we’re dying in a desert, but Yahweh’s plan “is to use the desert places in our lives to make us stronger” [Lina Abu-Jamra]. But there’ll be glorious times of sweetness, blessing, deep satisfaction, and contentment.
Working in the heavenly Vineyard is as much about the labourer as the harvest, and it’s never about the length of service. The Vinedresser calls each of us in His time. We can trust Him absolutely. And we’ll find His love is richer, fuller, deeper, sweeter as the years go by!
Photo by Noita Digital on Unsplash
https://unsplash.com/photos/a-wooden-chair-in-a-garden-hfLDAfSNGAg
The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
Timothy Peck
The Congregation Of Yahweh
Head Office (UK)
27A Carlton Road
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
United Kingdom
NG3 2DG
T: 0115 837 8083
E:
W: www.congyah.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 245132
© Copyright 2026 The Congregation Of Yahweh
