GOD’S WORD STANDS FOREVER
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)
Bob Dylan once famously sang the times they are a’changin’. He was right— think of just how much the world has changed in the relatively short period you’ve been on Earth. The medical and technological advancements alone are incredible. But alongside these largely wonderful changes, we’ve seen other changes that are less savory. Where once it seemed we had moral absolutes that nearly all could agree upon, we now live in a time where truth is increasingly viewed as relative. Whatever works for you works for you, and whatever works for me works for me. The problem with that way of thinking is that we have no ultimate truth to appeal to when what we each hold as our truths come into conflict.
Consider Paul’s warning to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT):
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
Eerily accurate, right? What was once called good is now branded as evil. What was once universally reviled as evil has become mainstream. Those who hold to the Word of God are in many ways viewed as archaic and out of step. We’re following an ancient text that can’t possibly be relevant today, right?
Wrong. The Word of God is as applicable today as when it was written. It’s not out of step with the world today—the world today is out of step with God’s Word. God’s Word is holy, inspired and alive. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) says this: For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two- edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
APPLICATION: Commit anew to God’s Word. When will you spend time in it each day? What verses will you memorize? How will you share it with others?
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your Word. Grow within me a desire to know it and share it. Help me to build my life on Your Word and Your way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?