The Word of God endures forever

https://odb.org/2026/05/11/gods-word-endures

Isaiah 40:3–8 (NIV): 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.”

In the early 1900s, successful steel businessman Charles Schwab decided to build perhaps the most lavish mansion in New York City. Completed in 1906, his Riverside Drive estate took its inspiration from French chateaus and spanned an entire city block, with lush gardens, grand halls, and opulent interiors. It stood in stark contrast to the rising apartment buildings that would soon define Manhattan. Despite its grandeur, the estate struggled to find a buyer after Schwab’s death. The mansion was too large, too costly, and out of step with real estate trends. Riverside Drive estate was demolished in 1948. Both the mansion and the man faded away. The words of Isaiah 40 remind us, “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field” (v. 6). What the prophet says about people, grass, and flowers is true (vv. 6-7). But the truth of God Himself? It will outlast men and mansions and wealth and ambition and accolades. Yes, “the word of our God endures forever” (v. 8).(John Blase, Our Daily Bread 11th May 2026)

We have to be reminded every now and then that even the grandeur of kings, political/royal dynasties and billionaires are fleeting. They may be remembered by future generations but alas they are no longer around to see or witness that. The reason is obvious. The average life expectancy in 2025 for men in Malaysia is 73.1, while for women 77.9. In other words, our lifespan on earth only spans 70-80 years while God lives forever for all eternity. If we are in the faith, yes, we will live for eternity with God one day. But as for this world, our time is limited.

So what is the legacy we want to live behind? Having lost both my parents already, I recall although we still keep some of their things like their clothes and memorable stuff, clothes run out of fashion and sizes are usually not of right match. I recalled my mum used to write out songs in manuscript in songbooks. They were nearly discarded but my wife salvaged most of them. They are in our old house (my parents stayed with us to help us care for our boys growing up). But one day, we may sell or demolish that old house. Question is how long more will we keep their stuff? Similarly, one day we ourselves will pass on and our own possessions and stuff will either be sold or given away or just thrown away for disposal by the rubbish truck.

Old beautiful mansions may just remain as relics of the past overtaken by time, demolished to make way for new buildings or just left abandoned and overgrown by crawlers and even smaller trees! The other day, I had a meeting at one of the many new office buildings in the city and it was so nice, posh and efficient. No wonder the older office buildings in the city have problems getting tenants nowadays. For comparable or slightly higher rental, you can get into any of the brand new offices. Why settle for the old where things break down now and then, lifts are slow and overcrowded and parking spaces are narrow and dim?

The Word of God endures forever. Jesus Christ is everlasting. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the Alpha and Omega. Pursue what really matters. Build for eternity, not the fleeting. Sow into the future, for the Kingdom, into the infants, children and youth of today as they will be our future for tomorrow. Invest and build into the Kingdom of Heaven as it will last for eternity, beyond even the end of time! Yes, we need to live and survive in this world. But never at the expense of our spiritual life and our place in the Kingdom of God!

Have a good week everyone! May the LORD our God bless each and every one of us in His grace with wisdom and discernment to do the right thing at work and at home as we are led and prompted by the Holy Spirit!