Friday, December 21, 2018
by Gordon Rose
Isaiah 40:6-11 (NIV)
A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is
like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows
on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God
endures forever.” 9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news
to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is
your God!” See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is
with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in
his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
One voice, possibly an Angel or another prophet implores the prophet Isaiah to cry out the glorious
things which God had declared. This cry was intended to confirm their faith by specifying the vast
difference between nature and the works and words of humanity when compared to the promises of
God. Humanity, in its works and mortality, are fragile and short lived as grass. All that people accomplish
or accumulate will pass away. Like the grass or flowers of the field people and their words and works are
weak and vanishing. God’s word is like himself, permanent and irresistible; and therefore as the Lord has
spoken so shall it be. I like to think of this passage when I am struggling with some personal or
professional difficulty. Such problems, which seem so significant, are really fleeting in comparison to the
sheltering love of the Lord which endures forever.