When you go through very difficult times, finding answers and finding hope can be a challenge. When evil seems to be winning, it can appear that good will not prevail. When the circumstances of life are confusing, where do you turn?
Turn to the Bible, the Word of God.
God’s Word remains forever.
The Lord spoke through His servant Isaiah, bringing words of comfort to the nation of Israel. At the same time, Isaiah was pointing all people to the person of Jesus, the Promised Savior, the one born to take away the sin of the world, the one who offers salvation to all who will believe in Him and trust Him as Lord and Savior.
Kings, Prime Ministers, and Presidents have power and influence for only a few years. The Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans all at one time or another ruled the ancient world. During the time period covered in Isaiah’s prophecies, the nation of Israel was invaded by first the Assyrians and then the Babylonians. By the time we get to Isaiah chapter 40, the prophet is looking forward to the day when the Israelites will be free from foreign oppression. God said it would happen that way and it did. Nations rise and fall, but the word of our God remains forever.
6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!” Another said, “What should I cry out?” “All humanity is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8)
In Isaiah 40:6-8, we see words of comfort, courage and compassion.
These are words of comfort to the people who will be enduring difficult times. The people must realize that the trials are only temporary, just like the grass of the field that withers and the flowers that fade. God’s Word will remain forever.
These are words of courage. Even though enemy armies may be invading your homeland, you can trust that God’s word will come true. And His words throughout chapter 40 of Isaiah are words of hope in the future, hope found in our Savior, Jesus, the Mighty Warrior. Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes.”
These are words of compassion. The Lord is compassionate toward us. He is perfectly just in His discipline of us. His judgments are right and fair. Yet He is full of compassion and mercy toward us, not giving us the penalty that our sin deserves. Through Christ, He shows us His compassion, forgiveness, and peace, and He gives us eternal life.
The word of our God remains forever. Read it. Study it. Put it into practice in your daily life. Let your life be guided by the word of God. Media reports will come and go. Circumstances will come and go. World leaders will come and go. The word of our God remains forever.
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a special thanks to my friend Glen Rowden for his contribution to this blog post
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