The Word of God Stands Forever

Note from today’s Bible reading: Isaiah 38-42; Psalm 76

After announcing that “the glory of the Lord will be revealed” (Isaiah 40:5), the prophet delivered a message about the temporal nature of the things of this world: “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” (Isaiah 40:6-7).

This statement was meant to remind the people that God is more powerful than anything in the created world. He created and gave life to all things, and He can also destroy those things He has made.

Then a sobering reminder was added to this: “Surely the people are grass” (Isaiah 40:7). It is easily recognizable that God is greater than anything in the world around us. Yet it is tempting to overlook that this also applies to each of us. Just as He has the power of life and death over the grass and flowers that wither and fade away, He has the same power over us.

Then the prophet said, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Because we are here for just a short period of time, we need to be mindful of the one who rules over us. This means we must pay attention to His word that has been given as our standard and is “forever…settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

So remember that the word of God stands forever. We will not live long enough for His law to expire. Instead, we need to humble ourselves and submit to the instructions He has given.