The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
A few years ago, Joan and I lived in Tucson, Arizona. Summers there could be quite challenging. June and July often brought brutal heat. We tried to grow roses for a few years but if they didn’t get watered every morning, they died. Other non-desert plants suffered a similar fate. And then usually around July or August, the summer rains came. The humidity would dramatically increase. But you also could see an explosion of color in the desert landscape. Areas that had looked complexly dead and barren burst into life. Plants that looked more brown than green suddenly began to sprout and grow. All that was needed was rain to come from the heavens and we saw an explosion of life.
God’s creation reminds us of the fragileness of this life and our need for his care. It also surprises us in demonstrating God’s faithfulness and provision. Our world can often seem a bit dry. Maybe you feel like it is a desert out there. Maybe you think that the best years are behind us. Perhaps you pray for God to revive your life, our community or our church.
Remember the enduring, life-giving vitality of the Word of our Lord. God’s Word is the water of life. Isaiah reminds us that “The Word of the Lord stands forever.”
We’re reminded that the Word is Jesus himself. The Word of God became flesh so many years ago and walked among his creatures. He endured temptation and suffering and ultimately mocking, rejection, and crucifixion. He did this so that we might have fellowship, forgiveness and life with Him!
The Word of the Lord stands forever. Jesus is alive. He conquered death and the grave for you. And he lives and reigns to all eternity!
Because Jesus rules over our world, we can be confident in God’s Word. Jesus is the water of life, the one that comes to quench our thirst and help us to bear fruit. Because he lives, we also live in Him. We seek to follow him, to serve him, and to bless others in his name. Because Jesus rules over our world, we can be confident that God’s Word brings us to repentance and forgiveness. His death and resurrection assure us of a right relationship with Him. We can be assured that the scriptures are the very Word of God for salvation. So we read and study and learn from the scriptures confident that they reveal God to us in his power and grace and mercy.
Because Jesus rules over our world, we have hope. The Christian understanding of hope is more than sanctified wishful thinking. It is a confidence and conviction that God is faithful to all His promises. We know that even despite our circumstances that God is fully in control of this world. He promises to return to judge the living and the dead and to usher us into a new heavens and a new earth where there is no more sin or mourning or crying or pain.
In the midst of our journey in this world, we trust in God. He is faithful. His Word is enduring. The one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark Schumm
