New Wine Series

New Wine Part 3: Crushed

Introduction

In the journey of life, we often face moments of pressure, difficulty, and pain. These moments are not without purpose; they are part of a divine process of transformation. Today, we explore the idea of being “crushed” in God’s hands and how this process, though painful, brings forth new life and blessings.

The Crushing Process: A Biblical Perspective

Isaiah 62:8-9 reminds us of God’s promises:

“The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His strong arm, ‘I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies; Nor will foreigners drink your new wine for which you have labored.’ But those who garner it will eat it and praise the Lord; And those who gather it will drink it in the courts of My sanctuary.”

In this passage, the term “new wine” in Hebrew refers to something freshly pressed, squeezed, expelled, or trodden out. This imagery reminds us that the process of creating new wine – of bringing forth something new and beautiful – requires crushing. Jesus himself experienced this when He took on human form. Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV) explains:

“He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus’ crushing was necessary to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. He emptied Himself of divine privilege and endured hunger, betrayal, and ultimately death. He did this so we could approach Him with the confidence that He understands every emotion and challenge we face. Just as He trusted the crushing process, so must we.

Humility in the Crushing

To endure the crushing, we must humble ourselves. We have to surrender our control, our desires, and our plans. When we let go of our need to control the outcome, we allow God to work through us. The crushing is not permanent – it’s a temporary part of the process. Just as Jesus only borrowed Joseph’s tomb, we must see our pain as temporary. Don’t make your suffering your permanent home; rent it if you must, but don’t own it. Know that Sunday is coming, and with it, resurrection and renewal.

Self-control alone cannot transform grapes into new wine. The vine-dresser – God – must do that. We need to submit ourselves to His hands, trusting that He knows exactly what tools to use to bring out the best in us.

Crushing Is Needed for Extraction

As Bishop T.D. Jakes once said:

“You cannot have promise without process. Those that God is going to anoint the most, He always crushes the most severely.”

God knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands what will come forth from the crushing, and He promises that the process will lead to something greater. Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV) beautifully captures this truth:

“You have searched me, LORD, 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. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.”

Every process leads to a promise. 1 Peter 5:10 assures us:

“After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

This is the beauty of being obedient to the crushing process.

Pressure Builds Strength

In my previous career in plumbing, I witnessed the testing process for products seeking SABS certification. Products were subjected to pressure tests, measuring how much strain they could withstand before breaking. Only after enduring this pressure could they receive the stamp of approval.

Many of us are in a similar season, going through tests and trials, but these challenges are certifying us for God’s purpose. When we go back to our Maker, we realize the strength we’ve developed through the crushing. We may say:

“I didn’t know I could withstand that. I didn’t know I could overcome that. I didn’t know I could endure that.”

Through this process, we discover the capacity God has placed within us. When we submit to His plan, we find out what we’re truly capable of.

Crushing Produces Character

Without crushing, our character remains untested. It’s easy to surround yourself with people during seasons of abundance, but it’s in the crushing season – the season of producing new wine – where true friendships and loyalty are tested. Numbers 13 describes how Caleb and Joshua saw the season of ripe grapes as an opportunity for God’s glory, while others only saw the crushing as a waste.

It’s through the difficult times that God shapes us. We may not boast of our accomplishments when facing adversity, but rather, we find strength in recalling how we made it through the hardest moments – how God sustained us when all seemed lost.

Quality Takes Time

As 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) reminds us:

“For our present sufferings are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them, and will last forever!”

God’s method of quality control is the crushing process. The hardships we face refine the gifts and talents He’s placed in us. It may take time, but eventually, the world will see the result of this refinement – a person walking in their God-given glory.

Often, we want the process to finish quickly, but quality takes time. Whether you’re waiting for a spouse or for a breakthrough in life, remember that God’s best is worth waiting for.

Conclusion

If you’re feeling crushed today, know that God never crushes His children without a purpose. There is a promise on the other side of the crushing. Our winemaker knows exactly how much pressure we can endure and what is needed to bring out the best in us.

Romans 12:1 calls us to be “living sacrifices.” Are you ready to submit to God’s process and let new wine burst forth from you for His kingdom?

Let us trust the crushing process and surrender to the hands of the Master. The new wine is coming – hold on, endure, and be patient, for quality takes time.