God’s Word Doesn’t Wither

“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.” (1 Pet. 1:24-25 NIV)

Last year, a good friend and fellow contributor followed her dream and started her business as a flower farmer. I was excited for her and immediately signed up for a monthly bouquet subscription. When spring arrived, and our first bouquet showed up at our door, I was elated. Over the next few months, I delighted in the fresh blooms in my monthly bouquets. I saw beauty I had never seen before in flowers I had never heard of. I know this now: I have not met a dahlia I have not loved. There are so many different varieties, and they are all gorgeous.

My only disappointment with the flowers was that they didn’t live forever. Their beauty only adorned my tables for a week or so. No matter how well I took care of them, they eventually died, and I threw them away.

After months of gorgeous bouquets, it was hard not to have fresh, colorful flowers in the house. One afternoon, on a cold grey day in February, I was in Trader Joe’s, and the flowers were calling my name. I longed to have fresh flowers again, but buying store-bought flowers felt like cheating on my flower farmer friend. Later that same week, my friend posted a picture online of a flower arrangement she had bought at the store. I commented on how I had wanted to buy some but thought it would be wrong, and she told me to run to the store and buy some flowers.

The next week, during my weekly shopping trip, I purchased a few different small bouquets and made a lovely floral arrangement. It was amazing how something so small could add so much vibrancy to a room. However, like all my other bouquets, the beauty was fleeting. The flowers began to droop and fall, the leaves withered, and eventually, I tossed them into the trash.

If we’re honest, there is not much in this world that doesn’t end up in the trash. We toss food, electronics, and clothes that are no longer in style. We desire the newest and best things, but those, too, have a shelf life in our lives. Things break or newer models are released, and we find ourselves tossing things aside for something better. Something we hope will last forever.

Unfortunately, the things of this world—and we ourselves—are not meant to last forever. However, we have an amazing gift that does.

We have the gift of God’s Word, which lives forever. Unlike my flowers, God’s Word doesn’t wither.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God, filled with instruction and encouragement. It is living and breathing and can refresh us in numerous ways. In the same way a beautiful bouquet can bring life to a room, the Word of God can breathe life into a weary soul. When you are dealing with a grey day, saturate yourself with Scripture. If you need a pick-me-up, meditate on God’s promises. When you are lost and in need of direction, lean into his wisdom.

We live in the age of technology, and the good news is accessible to us at our fingertips. We can easily carry it with us wherever we are and whatever we do. If we are going to be glued to our phones, let’s be glued to the gospel.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your word that we can read and reflect on every day. Thank you for your words of comfort, instruction, and wisdom. Lord, help me to gain new insight every time I read your word. Help me to meditate and memorize your words so I can share them with others. Lord, when the world feels like it is falling down all around me, may I find peace in your words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  (Heb. 4:12 NIV)

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” (Ps. 33:4 NIV)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4 NIV)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 NIV)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Ps. 119:105 NIV)

Reach for More

There are so many apps available to help us have God’s Word accessible to us at the touch of the button. If you don’t already have a Bible app downloaded on your phone, what are you waiting for? My favorite app is YouVersion. Within YouVersion, you can download and read or listen to the whole Bible in numerous translations. Take reading God’s Word to the next level. Reach for More. If you don’t read daily, start with five minutes a day. If you are already reading it every day, try adding on ten more minutes. If you’re in need of a bigger challenge, read the Bible in a year. There is nothing magical about January 1, and you can start that goal today as you reach for more in reading the good news.

Heather Gerwing is living the full life with her husband, Jeff, four kids, and a dog in Metro Detroit. Heather enjoys reading, writing, coffee-ing, and serving in youth ministry. She was born a Jersey girl and feels most at home on a beach. She is the host of the monthly link-up, Share Four Somethings. You can join Heather on the journey to living the full life at www.heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Annie Spratt, used with permission