Today’s scripture is about the Word of God, which is quite appropriate for a Sunday.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown us that human beings are frail. Although many people are physically strong and intelligent, and human beings have achieved great things in science and medicine, this tiny virus is more powerful than human strength and wisdom. We pray that God will give wisdom to scientists to find a way to stop the virus, we pray that He would remove the virus completely. But unless the Lord helps us, we have no strength or power to defeat it. Human beings without God are nothing – we are like the grass and the flowers, we blossom and flourish and then we wither and perish. But nothing changes Him.
In this passage, God is speaking to a people who thought they were strong. They had kings and a great city in Jerusalem. They had an army. But in a few years they were going to be defeated because of their sin and God was going to send them to a foreign country called Babylon. In the earlier devotions, we have seen how God promised Israel that they would return from exile, but in these verses (Isaiah 40:6-8), He is reminding them how weak they are so that they trust Him and don’t trust in themselves.
There are no exceptions: “All flesh (people) is like grass.” Even the wisest and the strongest.
Our lives are in God’s hands: “The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows upon it.”
But God’s word is forever. He never changes. His promises never change. His purposes will be completed. This is true even when we feel weak. His promises are still true. The gospel is still true. He has still saved you by grace alone. He will still keep His promise to be with you always. He will still keep His promise to take you to glory.
And, because God’s word is forever, even if your body is weak and your mind is confused and your heart is discouraged, the word of God will give you strength.
The word is so powerful. 1 Peter 1:25 quotes this verse: “The word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”
The word of God that was powerful to save you will never lose its power to encourage you, lift you up, guide you, give you peace, build your faith, comfort you, heal you, protect you and give you strength.
“The word of our God stands forever.”
The best is yet to come 