{"id":32168,"date":"2021-05-20T03:30:58","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T10:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=32168"},"modified":"2021-05-17T21:17:22","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T04:17:22","slug":"may-20-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2021\/05\/20\/may-20-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"May 20, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cThe grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our Lord stands forever.\u201d<\/em> Isaiah 40:8<\/p>\n

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every year about this time I start feeling a bit melancholy. The fields that just yesterday were cloaked in spring\u2019s brilliant yellow, white and purple wildflower showcase, are now a drab brown with not even a hint that God had just painted a masterpiece.<\/p>\n

The wild lilac shrubs and brilliant redbuds along our road have finished blooming also, leaving a dull, washed out look in their place. I miss them; they greeted me with a little sprig of joy every time I looked their way.<\/p>\n

It seems like nothing lasts in this world\u2014nothing at all. Friends come and go, our parents pass on, we lose our pets, our homes need constant repair, our favorite tree falls down in a storm and on and on it goes. Let\u2019s face it, we live in a world of constant change, constant loss. There\u2019s not one thing we can do to stop the cycle.<\/p>\n

And isn\u2019t that why the melancholy feelings come? It\u2019s all<\/em> out of our control. And we like to think we\u2019re in control, don\u2019t we, or at least hope we are? It\u2019s brought me to tears before when I realize my utter helplessness in this cavalcade of life.<\/p>\n

BUT GOD! God\u2019s got this! We can be assured His purposes are in perfect rhythm, perfect sync with the universe. If the wildflowers are done, it\u2019s because they had their time\u2014nothing earthly gets to stay forever. Even the mightiest mountain peak is in decline as it erodes into the wind and weather. God knows and He cares, because He has a plan. \u201cTo everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven\u201d<\/em> (Ecclesiastes 3:1).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our Lord stands forever<\/em>\u201d (Isaiah 40:8). Isaiah knew the truth when he wrote these words; the Word of the Lord stands forever and ever, no matter what, no matter who may try to destroy it, downplay it, or demonize it. It is indestructible and it absolutely will <\/em>accomplish God\u2019s purposes. Now that\u2019s comforting.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the Word of the Lord is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and<\/em> intents of the heart\u201d<\/em> (Hebrews 4:12).<\/p>\n

Thank You, Lord, for Something to stand on, Something to make sense out of our random wonderings and wanderings in this chaotic quicksand called earth. You love us and offer the olive branch of peace through Your Son, Jesus. We praise You, Lord! You fill our hearts with joy at the thought of a new heaven and a new earth for those who call You Lord. Amen!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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