Jul 12 – Cry Out!

“The voice said, ‘Cry out!’ And he said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.’” (Isaiah 40:6)

A voice came from heaven to the prophet Isaiah. It revealed the spiritual condition of humanity and the way by which people could escape coming judgment. The heavenly voice commanded, “Cry out!”

Immediately Isaiah asked, “What shall I cry?” Then the Lord desired to proclaim an important truth: “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.”

What happened in the days of Noah will also characterize the days preceding the coming of the Son of Man. People were like grass, and their glory was like the flowers of the field. When their wickedness reached its fullness, the flood came and swept them all away.

Though man may regard himself as strong and powerful, God sees him as grass. Scripture says: “For the sun rises with a burning heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1:11)

The same heavenly message was later echoed by both the Apostle Peter and the Apostle James: “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:24–25)

The Lord patiently watches over every person for a season. He does not desire that anyone should perish. That is why Christ tasted death on the cross, so that all might come to repentance. Yet if a person refuses to repent and walk in the holiness God desires, his wisdom, wealth, influence, and strength may ultimately become snares to his own soul.

First, man must recognize that he is but grass. Grass speaks of the temporary and fragile nature of human life. Though David was a great king, he humbled himself and declared: “But I am a worm, and no man.” (Psalm 22:6)

Likewise, James described the brevity of life: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)

Children of God, in this fleeting life, hold firmly to the Lord. He alone is eternal. He alone is able to grant everlasting blessings. Let us not place our confidence in earthly achievements, which fade like grass, but in the unchanging Word and faithfulness of God, which endure forever.

Verse for further meditation: “My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.” (Job 9:25)