a voice says, “call out.” then he answered, “what shall i call out?” all flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. the grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; suresly the people are grass. the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. [isaiah 40:6-8]
the word of our God stands forever.
forever.
not – hundreds of years.
not – 1000 generations.
not – until this earth ends.
rather … forever.
forever means:
before our time began,
God’s word has always been.
in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God [john 1:1]
the word is more than his voice, thought it is his voice.
the word is more than his spoken words, though it is his spoken words.
the word is more than his truth, though it is his truth.
the word is more than his wisdom, though it is his wisdom.
the word is – the full embodiment of Jesus the Son of God. all of Jesus’ power, glory, life, love, truth, wisdom, and more is what is meant by the “Word of God”.
so when the scripture says the Word of God stands forever.
it is saying his voice, his spoken word, his truth, his wisdom, his power, his glory, his life, his love, – all of who he is – is eternal.
and more, forever means – always has been, is right now, and always will be.
i am the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. [revelation 22:13]
the point of all this –
everything in our being is temporary. my words will fade and have not always been. my wisdom, truth, and power is limited and weak. my body and life is temporary.
everything in this world is temporary. the grass, the flowers, the things we value in creation all come and go, come and go. every person we love and value – will one day die. every empire will end. every idea had a beginning and will have an end. every philosophy had a beginning and will have an end. everything you and i can ever be, do, think of, or be a part of – is temporary.
Jesus – is other, different, holy. he always has been, is, and always will be.
this means, amidst all the things in this world that change – relationships, friends, jobs, leaders, champions, convictions, commitments – Jesus NEVER CHANGES. he remains God, your God, your savior, you king, your Lord!
today – rest every bit of who you are in this reality. your God will not change!
Lord, while the world around me changes – while people around are me are always changing their minds, their convictions, and their purposes – and, while everything about my life does and will change – you do not change! you are constant, always, everlasting, steadfast, forever, and eternal. anchor and unite my heart and soul into your never-changing character and nature. in Jesus’ name – amen!
~ john ryan