A voice says,
“Call out!”
Then he answered,
“What shall I call out?”
All flesh is like the grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers; the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6-8
As I was searching the Scriptures to encourage a dear friend this week, I found myself in Isaiah 40. It is one of my favorite chapters in Isaiah. The above verses really spoke to my spirit. It truly puts things in perspective as I look around me at many who are weary in well doing on this earth. This is not our home. We are not to make it our home. We are just passing through, or are we? Is our focus on God, and His Word full of promises, or are we totally distracted on surviving in this world? Are we, as followers of Christ, living like this is all there is, or are we focused on the eternal as we observe this life withering away?
I must confess I needed to hear what God spoke to the prophet Isaiah to speak out. I have a tendency to elevate my thoughts and understanding due to circumstances I can see and feel above the truth of what God’s Word says. It is all true or none is. God is showing us the contrast of man and God in this chapter.
I spend a lot of time in fields of grass and wildflowers. I am very familiar with the fragility of both in a sense, but I also observe the determination for both to live out their season. We are constantly walking all over both crushing them at times flattening them to the ground, but they rise again in time, and stand tall in all their glory till their season ends in this world. As I have enjoyed the beauty of both I have closely observed the vibrant resilience of both.
I have observed the process of their life. The sprouting, the blooming, and the withering, and eventually their death as their season ends. I also have pondered how much we take wildflowers for granted. Most of us don’t even have eyes to see the beauty and fragrance they give off. If they are in the way of our paths we just step on them and keep moving.
I have often related to the life of the grass and wildflower due to scripture. God values His creation — all of it. It may seem insignificant to us, but it isn’t to Him; especially mankind. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:29:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”
Just allow that to sink in. He is speaking that same word to us today. Prior to these verses he was instructing His disciples what to expect in this world. We are not called to adapt to this world and the things in it. We are warned we will be hated, taken for granted, family will turn on family, but we are to flee from that city, and go to another. We must remain faithful in our purpose to preach the gospel to all who will listen, and to bring glory to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are stomped on He will enable us to rise again, until our season is over here just as the grass and wildflowers He tells us we are like.
He also tells them in Matthew 10:24:
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he becomes like his teacher, and the slave like his master.”
We will never be God; but we can become like Him. So when we encounter the trials and temptations in this world we have to keep things in perspective. He is God, and we are not. In comparison to Him we are like the grass and wildflower. Yet, He loves us more than is fathomable.
Let’s return to Isaiah 40:12-14 in relation to creation itself as we see the contrast God declares:
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heaven by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales?
Who has directed the Spirit Of the Lord, or as His counselor had informed Him? With whom did He consult, and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, and informed Him of the way of understanding?”
There is no power higher than the God of the Bible. There aren’t other sources man can raise up to take His place; Not even AI and Google as ridiculous as man can become in their own understanding apart from Him. Nations are made up of man. Now let’s hear God’s perspective again concerning nations: Isaiah declares:
Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor are beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him. They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.
You may read on your own the rest of the verses. I want to pick up in 21-31 allowing the Word to question each one of us personally and to give us wisdom from above and understanding of who God is:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He Who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He is Who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges or the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted. Scarcely have they been sown. Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth. But He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble.
“To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number. He calls them all by name, because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power. Not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, my ways are hidden from the Lord, and justice due me escapes the notice of my God? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not faint.
I am very familiar with these verses in Isaiah. I have stood on them many times throughout my life. In fact, from these verses God gave me the name for my present home, “The Eagle’s Nest.” He planted me within a nest of mountains surrounding me with a constant reminder of His love and protection. Also because I have been a runner most of my life, I can’t tell you how many times I would draw from these promises in Isaiah, and I continue to presently as I am preparing for the Black Mountain Traverse Ultra on Mount Mitchell coming up in October. I am more aware than ever at my age where my strength must come from. I know I do not have it within myself. Training runs have proven that, but I also know He is constantly making me what I am not on my own. He has done that all my life if I allow Him the opportunity. Jesus came to give us life, and life more abundantly. Our part is to step out in faith beyond our ability, and allow Him to. That pertains to all areas of our life, financially, spiritually, and physically. He is faithful to His promises. He is all He proclaims to us in Isaiah 40. I encourage you to park in this chapter this upcoming week, and listen to the Voice crying out to you through Isaiah.
In His love..
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
These verses in Isaiah were never more real to me than this weekend. Photos taken from a training run at Mount Mitchell in Burnsville, NC yesterday. His majestic work was everywhere I tramped! It poured the rain as you can see. Saw some beautiful falls due to the heavy rain. What appears to be a creek was our trail! Many beautiful sights in spite of the low clouds and fog. Great time with some great folks!
