Encounter Devo on Isaiah 40:8

Encounter Devotion

Isaiah 40:8 ESV

8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

What is at the beginning of eternity and at the end of time?

The letter E

When we consider what forever looks like, we struggle to really wrap our futile minds around it.

This passage refers to God’s word as something that stands FOREVER.

What is the significance of this?

Let’s unpack this passage...

The passage is comparing two things to the word of God...

Grass

Flowers

It says...

“The grass withers...”

The Hebrew word used for grass in this passage is referring to a pasture kept for grazing animals.

Grass brings about nutrient for the living things that graze...

God’s word is a nutrient for our Soul!

It breathe life into our weary bones- it is active and alive!

But what makes the word of God different from grass is susceptible to wither, die, or become dry...

Grass dies for various reasons… droughts, weeds, bugs....

What this passage is claiming is that God’s word can never be overtaken by anything in this world...

Not a governments authority

Not an army’s plan of attack

Not a politician

Not a newly instilled law

Not even another religion!

God’s word stands FOREVER.

Be encouraged in this. It is written by God about God for you to know God.... and it will live forever, and offers the hope of life through it’s message so then we too will live forever as well...

“The flower fades...”

The flower is simply the blossom of a plant- its beautiful.

The passage even says this fades!

There is nothing in this world, whether it be beautiful, attractive, or compelling, that will outlast the truth of God’s word...

A flower, even in it’s season of perfection, will never bypass it’s fatal death.

But God’s word not only last forever, but is the way, the truth, AND the life…

That is beautiful.

And lastly,

“but the word of our God will stand forever...”

the hebrew used in this statement brings to light what the author’s intent was in a really cool way...

The word used for “stand” doesn’t mean to hold it’s place… but it actually means “to physically rise up; to endure”

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

God’s word here in this book was represented by a man who walked on this earth, who did not wither in times of trials, who did not fade when put through tension, but looked death in the face and defeated it..

He is endured death, and rose from it, standing on his two feet ALIVE...

And now we can find that forever life with Him because of the life he gave for us...

At this time we are going to pray for revival among our people and among our city...

May the word of our God bring life...