For,
“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Peter reaches for a simile to describe the contrast between man and God.
“All people are like grass.”
How?
What kind of grass is he talking about, anyway?
Remember that Peter lived in a time before lawns, sprinkling systems, lawnmowers, and weed killer. He is not talking about the kind of lawn that has the lawn care struck stop by every two weeks and looks like a million bucks all year long.
The kind of grass he is talking about comes up with the spring rains, grows during the spring and summer, and dries up towards the end of summer.
The same is true for the “flowers of the field.” They grow up in the spring, blossom for a short time, and then die.
People are like grass and wildflowers. We spring up in our time, we grow for a little while, and then we die. The word of the Lord, on the other hand, is like the Lord; eternal.
Which peg do you want to hang your hat and coat on? The one that falls down at the end of the day, or the one that can never be moved?
Application: Focus on things that are eternal. Shed the things of this world.
Food for Thought: What is the ”word that was preached to you?”
What is the ”word that was preached to you?”
During a quiet sober moment, at 33, the Lord spoke to my heart with words and images, and directed me to a specific church.
John 16:8-11, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
At this church He had a man waiting, we met and he told me about Bible Study Fellowship. They were studying the Book of John, after 6 weeks I accepted Jesus Christ. I began the process of separation from this world and transformation into the servant God has in mind for me.
Ron,
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story! It captures so many things about how God communicates with us. He reached out to you in a “quiet sober moment” and gave you direction. When you followed his lead, he had fellowship waiting for you. Then you got into his Word, and you found Jesus himself waiting for you.
To answer your question I would point to a verse – Ephesians 1: 13. But I think Ron’s story beautifully paints what this looks like
Thanks guy’s, just an add on. I know I’m a bit of an odd duck, Jeff knows, but as time has gone by, I have never forgotten the many details of my first acknowledged encounter with the convicting of the Holy Spirit. It has helped me so much as I have witnessed to others.
I know He has or will convict the people He brings to me with at least the same degree of clarity as when He made Himself known to me. God’s Justice will have it no other way. My assignment is so much easier. I just notice them, be alert for the opportunity God will make for me, and let the love of Jesus take over when the right time comes. Their decision is between them and God, I’m just His messenger.
Ron,
About being an “odd duck”…
If I “know” it’s because it takes one to know one! 🙂
I’m so incredibly blessed w/ your testimony Ron, thanks for sharing! My name is Chris btw & I’m an odd duck as well; NMOP3PISdn is simply upSIDEDOWN viewed upsidedown–so welcome to the party, lol! I love the Ephesians scripture that you shared Rich and the post is great Jeff. The details given of the kind of grass Peter would have been in reference too really drove it home.
I am reminded of Psalm 90 (for those who want to read it):
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Jeff mentioned in yesterday’s comments that at times he may fail to love because “instead of reverent fear, I was living the moment in a cavalier state of mind.” This is easily an area where I am prone to fall. The prayer of my heart lately has been for God to teach me to number my days and that he will establish the work he has called me to.
Chris,
Great to meet you. We should all repeat the prayer of your heart each day.
God Bless
Amen to that, Ron! Well said.
👍🏻