Several people were gathered around my car, pondering the problem of a second flat tire in less than a week. We were a few feet away from the horses' feed trough and they thought our attention was misdirected. Toby, my cranky thirtyish-year-old horse would not be delayed. He stepped into the trough and began to stomp in an attempt to get my attention. He wanted supper without delay.
The lush grass of summer is gone and winter grass is in short supply. As I examined the pasture's grass, a verse I'd read earlier in the day came to mind.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8 nasb)
I've been in Isaiah 40 for several days. This morning, I read those verses again and noticed something I'd missed yesterday. The preceding two verses both describe people as grass. It's a truth we don't often consider, but worth remembering.
We are as frail as grass that withers with the frost or wilts in summer heat, and dies.
We were not made to last forever.
There's not one person on earth now, nor has there ever been, who can "stand forever". There is no one whose words can last, either.
The Word of God is a different matter. Isaiah tells us it "stands forever". It never fails. It never goes out of date. It's never in error.
The Word of God is truth that stays true.
There's a trend in Christian circles that is disturbing to me. We have become a people of "God-books" instead of a people of "God's Book". This should not be. Why read about God when we can read words directly from God? Why be a purpose-driven church when we can be a Spirit-led, redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb church? Why pray the prayer of Jabez when we can pray the prayer of Jesus Christ?
I'm not saying that Christian non-fiction doesn't have a place. After all, I write books, too. There is no book, however, that should replace the Bible. It is alive and sharper than a two-edged sword. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
When we need wisdom, we need look no further than the Word of God. When we need direction, comfort, inspiration, or encouragement, the Word of God has an ample supply.
If we feel disconnected from God, if we are wondering where God is in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season, let's take time to anchor ourselves in Words that never fail. Words that come straight from God Himself.
Schedules are busy and time is in short supply. There's only so much that can be squeezed into 24 hours. I hate to say this, but not even touching Christmas movies are a good substitute for the Word of God.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this month, let's be sure to read what God has to say about this great gift He has given. From Genesis to Revelation, the truth of Christ permeates every page.
Pasture grass withers. People fail. Despite the frailty of this world, the Word of God stands forever.
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In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: Finding Christmas: Something Better than Stuff, Finding Christmas: Setting a Goal, Finding Christmas: When Life is Less than Perfect, Finding Christmas: Clear Vision, Finding Christmas: Making Choices that Count, Finding Christmas: Truth, Tradition, and Choice, and Finding Christmas: The Joy of Relationship.
The most read post of the last week: Finding Christmas: When Life is Less than Perfect
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#Advent #keepChristinChristmas #MerryChristmas #JesusChrist #disciple #WordofGod
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