Wednesday, January 28, 2009
1 Peter 1:24-25 "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
UNCHANGEABLE, UTTERLY RELIABLE, FOREVER TRUE
When we are small children, we trust our parents. We believe our parents. We have confidence that our parents can resolve all of our problems, and they generally do. But eventually the time comes when we learn that our parents are also sinners, yes, weak and troubled sinners, and not even always dependable and reliable in what they say and promise. Growing up is not easy, as we learn all of these things. The grass withers. The flower fades. All flesh is grass. As Job once said: "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble."
So you see, we are disappointed in everyone around us. It's easy to get cynical. And, last of all, we may see even the flaws and failings of ourselves. Yes, we too are grass. We can't even measure up to our own expectations. And we are far, far away from measuring up to God's expectations and demands.
Many people in the world get this far and no farther. But look what has been given to us! Something absolutely true, reliable, dependable, pure, perfect! Something that does not wither or fade like the grass or like flowers. Something that endures forever -- through all the changes on earth. This something solid and dependable is the Word of the Lord that endures forever. Particularly Peter speaks of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. "This is the word which by the gospel was preached to you."
So your friends fail you, your parents disappoint you, you disappoint yourself? Hang on! One great truth remains, and will forever remain: God in His love for mankind sent His Son Jesus to live here on earth among us sinners and do everything just right, not for Himself but for us. Then this same Jesus in His love for us went to the cross to bear our sins and their full punishment in our place. Nothing can ever change this truth or take away its comfort from us. It endures forever. God forgives our sins for Jesus' sake. Jesus rose again. It is true and will always be true.
