“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:”
1 Peter 1:24
The Bible is replete with references both to the unchanging, eternal nature of God as well as the fragile, fleeting nature of man. The great prophet, Moses, perhaps after the death of his siblings (Numbers 20), penned the 90th psalm in which he powerfully expressed both realities.“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2). Later he noted that “the days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). In the light of our frail and finite nature, we ought to humbly apply our hearts to wisdom (Psalm 90:12). This is a problem for fallen, unregenerate man. Refusing to humble himself before God, he convinces himself of his own self-sufficiency. In his pride he refuses to acknowledge God or his dependence upon Him (Psalm 10:4). Nowhere do we see this attitude more prevalent than in the entertainment industry. Hollywood is filled with prideful people who have convinced themselves of their own independence and self-sufficiency. Ironically, their love of the camera has created, much to their chagrin no doubt, a video documentary of their own finitude; “reel time” reflects for us the ravages of real time. Handsome, matinee idols of yesteryear have become old and frail shadows of their former selves. Try as they might, neither they nor their female counterparts can retain the strength and comeliness of youth. We see this taught in the Scriptures very clearly. David, for instance, is introduced to us as a young man, brave and strong (1 Samuel 16-17). Several pages later he is old and frail and ready to leave the earth (1 Kings 1). Facing the transient nature of man on the earth should not devastate us. Rather, in response to this reality, we should do as David himself did, as millions have done over the ages. That is, we should cease looking to ourselves for wisdom, strength, and hope, and instead look to our Creator for these necessary things. “LORD, make me to know mine end,” wrote David, “and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee” (Psalm 39:4-5,7). Thank you, Lord for providing for our great need, even beyond the grave. May your people rejoice together in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2).
God bless you, dear saints,
Pastor John
English