Isaiah 40:1-11 (NIV)

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All people are like grass,
and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”
9 You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Reflection

With the explosion of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, everybody is “trending” these days – there seems to always be a viral video you must see, a hip word you must use or an experience you must post. It takes a vigilant dedication to be a trendy hipster. Yet, like grass that withers and flowers that fall, these trends are here today and gone tomorrow. “But the word of our God endures forever.” Just like God Himself, His enduring word that brought us new life will never perish, spoil or fade. While everything else in the world holds our attention only for a quick moment, His word will captivate us for eternity. His word is good news. It is the very breath of the Lord. It came to us with mighty power through the outstretched arms of Jesus Christ. As our Shepherd, He carries us in the depths of His hearts and speaks tender words of compassion and mercy. His word is with us today and will be with us for eternity.

Response

Rather than letting our hearts be carried away with the fleeting trends of the day, let us be captivated by the enduring word of God. Not only the portions above, but read the rest of Isaiah 40. Allow the words to dwell deeply in our hearts and mind and let them flow out in love and life to those near us.