Nothing in this world, no matter how precious, lasts forever. Hurricanes wash away photos and heirlooms, along with our homes. Tornadoes and fires destroy the oldest and sturdiest structures – even houses of worship are not immune from such devastation. And of course, as all of us discover sooner or later, our own bodies and minds eventually succumb to the irreversible process of aging. Even the healthiest and most vibrant among us will die one day.

But the good news is that there is something among us that is eternal – the Word of God. Though everything else around us may change, God’s Word never fails. We see that truth confirmed throughout the book of Isaiah, as God first predicted the Babylonian invasion of Judah, and then the destruction of Babylon by the Persians, both of which came to pass just as He said. But most importantly, God told Isaiah a lot about the Messiah Who was to come, and all of those prophecies were of course fulfilled in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

And we get a glimpse of the coming of Christ in verse 9, don’t we? For Jesus wasn’t just a great warrior Whom God blessed with victory. He wasn’t even just a Suffering Servant, bearing the sins of all His people, as Isaiah 53 explains so clearly. No, when Jesus came to earth, He revealed the very essence of God to us. Or as John’s gospel explains, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

So, does it really make sense for us to focus so much of our time and attention on worldly things that, in the long run, just can’t last? Surely it’s better to listen to the Word of God and look to Jesus – for only He makes it possible for us to live forever.

Isaiah 40:6-9 (NAS)

6 A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
9 Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”