THAT WHICH NEVER FADES AWAY

“The grass withers and the flowers fade

beneath the breath of the Lord.
And so it is with people.
The grass withers and the flowers fade,

but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:7-8 NLT
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I picked some tomatoes and peppers from our garden the other week. They are still doing O.K., but the rest of the garden is done for the season. There was a head of cabbage left (which probably should have been harvested long ago). And there were a few beans that are all dried up. The Brown Eyed Susans and Cone Flowers have turned brown, but I think I’ll save them for a while longer and let the Gold Finch feed on them.

The prophet Isaiah says, “The grass withers and the flowers fade . . . And so it is with people.” Have you ever looked at the old family picture album and found it hard to believe that the teenager on those pages was really you? How the grass has withered and the flower faded. We are reminded of that every morning as we look into the mirror. But we are more than just a physical body that is growing older by the day. We are also a spiritual being which is nourished and built up by God’s word which never loses its vitality. “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” God’s word will never wear out and fade away.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

We may have received an inheritance from our parents or some relative (which by the way most likely has lost some value recently) and some day we will pass what’s left to someone else. However, in Christ “we have a priceless inheritance” which we will never have to give up. This inheritance is kept in God’s eternal safety deposit box reserved in our name, “pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” It will never fade away!

James 1 mentions the withering grass and fading flower of human riches and achievements, then adds in verse 12 “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Another precious and eternal gift from God which will never lose its’ value or fade away.

Let’s Pray-
Father There is no one like you!! Your gifts are priceless and eternal, with the reassuring promise that they will never fade away. May we never forget to be truly grateful.
Amen