Thursday December 7th, 2017 Isaiah 40:1-11
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. (verse 8)
God’s message takes an abrupt turn. After 39 chapters of Isaiah’s warnings and judgment, there is suddenly a promising change in tone. “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” There is a radical shift from bad news to good. Caught off guard, the prophet struggles to respond to God’s changing message. Change is challenging.
When we moved to a new region, we had to learn about new conditions and systems. In our first Okanagan summer, I kept the lawn watering to a minimum because of high water costs. Maybe I watered less than the minimum. The summer was hot. The grass has paid the price. Some of it is gone completely.
Isaiah seemed inclined to be as stingy with God’s word as I was with the sprinklers. He seems to say, “Why bother?” All people are like grass-fleeting, inconsistent. The response to that motivational lapse is a strong affirmation. Yes, the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever. “Get you up,” and proclaim the good news.
This season is our pivot into a new church year. We have a new message to proclaim. In our midst, God is coming through Christ. Take comfort, my people.
Tender word of comfort waken in our fleeting transient lives Hope that living Word unshaken in our longing hearts arrives. Amen. — DH
Contributed by Grass Withers. God’s Words Don’t.
God's message takes an abrupt turn. After 39 chapters of Isaiah's warnings and judgment, there is suddenly a promising change in tone. "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God." There is a radical shift from bad news to good. Caught off guard, the prophet struggles to respond to God's changing message. Change is challenging.
When we moved to a new region, we had to learn about new conditions and systems. In our first Okanagan summer, I kept the lawn watering to a minimum because of high water costs. Maybe I watered less than the minimum. The summer was hot. The grass has paid the price. Some of it is gone completely.
Isaiah seemed inclined to be as stingy with God's word as I was with the sprinklers. He seems to say, "Why bother?" All people are like grass-fleeting, inconsistent. The response to that motivational lapse is a strong affirmation. Yes, the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever. "Get you up," and proclaim the good news.
This season is our pivot into a new church year. We have a new message to proclaim. In our midst, God is coming through Christ. Take comfort, my people.
