POWER OF THE WORD: ENDURING POWER
…for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV)
One of the most amazing things I have ever seen is the cherry blossoms blooming in Japan. The Japanese word for these trees is sakura, and they bloom in the spring, between March and April. The wind carries sakura petals into the streets, fields and streams, and beautiful petals paint everything pink for about two weeks. Then, the experience is over, dormant until the same timeframe the following year. The experience is magnificent and bittersweet because of how quickly it comes and goes.
Sakura season is a nationwide celebration in Japanese culture. Families and friends bring blankets outdoors to sit and have viewing parties. March and April are two of the busiest travel months for Japan because of tourism. Stores sell sakura-flavored drinks, candies and ice cream. Many parents have even named their daughters Sakura after the beauty of the petals. The culture holds its breath for the sakura season each year and uses it as a time to meditate on the beauty and transience of life. It’s considered a transcendental experience.
Sakura season makes a lasting impression, but it has an expiration date. The following year, the trees will bloom again, but none of the petals will be the same. Last year’s petals are dead and gone, replaced by this year’s flood of pink. The new petals may look the same, but they’re not.
“The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” God’s Word remains forever. It is constant, trustworthy and eternal. Every word God says, every breath from His mouth that’s translated to language remains forever. When those words condemn someone to Hell, it’s terrifying, but for a son or daughter of God, those words are what we cling to in life. His promises endure despite the season, the conditions of our lives, the winds that blow, the enemies that attack and the death that comes for us all.
God’s Word is more beautiful and powerful than sakura, and we can place our hope, joy and future in everything He says.
APPLICATION: Where do you need the truth of God’s Word today? Take a moment to reflect on where your heart needs the firm foundation that only God’s Word can provide. Find a verse that applies to your soul's need, and pray it over yourself today. Ask Him to help you understand your heart.
PRAYER: God, help me to cling to every word You speak. Thank You for giving us the Bible, and give me a heart that hungers for Your Word and trusts it wholeheartedly. 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?