The Word of God Will Stand Forever

     Last year it was petunias, this year it was pansies. My wife and I planted them in the spring with great anticipation. We cared for them as best we knew how. We enjoyed their beauty. But suddenly in midsummer they went from full bloom to full doom! Dead!

This reminds me of a familiar passage from Isaiah 40:6-8:

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

       As I write this article, my heart is heavy from the loss of a dear friend. She flourished on this earth. She was a delight to all she met. She loved the Lord.  She was like a flower in God’s garden. In many ways, it seemed like she would always be with us. But then she was gone – withered like the flower of the field.

     Have you considered life and death recently? God loves life. After all, He created life! But sin and death entered the world and spread to everyone living being (Romans 5:12). This is why Isaiah compares people to grass. Like flowers, our life on this earth is very limited. None of us know the number of our days. No matter how accomplished, successful, or powerful you are, death will always find you. You and I will become part of the ultimate statistic: 19 out of 19 people die!

     In contrast to flowers and flesh, Isaiah considers the Word of God. He confidently states that “the Word of our God will stand forever.” This is the same Word that spoke the world into existence. The same Word that turned dead dust into living humans. The same Word that became flesh, lived a perfect life, suffered death, and defeated death once for all – Jesus Christ. Which would you rather trust? Your fading flesh or the Living and Eternal Word of God?

     For months we have been eating, drinking, and breathing statistics about COVID-19. It is not wrong to be informed, but it is wrong to fear a virus. The virus is not in control – God is! The virus does not decide our final breath – God does. The virus is not God. Quarantine may protect you from the virus (for a time), but nothing can separate you from the Almighty God. One day, your body will fail and you will stand before the judgement seat of God. No quarantine, mask, or sanitizer will protect you. You will stand “naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13, ESV) On that day your only hope will be found in the crucified and risen Word of God. Yes, “the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Praise the Lord!                     

Trusting the Living Word,      Pastor Matthew