“Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear.”-Luke 21:33
Most of us get excited about new things. For example, personally, I enjoy a new pair of shoes! They're clean. They still smell good. You can run faster in them (that was always my thought as a kid anyway!). Maybe for you, new shoes don’t "float your boat". Perhaps you prefer new clothes, or new tools, or a brand new set of paint brushes, some paper for scrapbooking, a nice shiny set of golf clubs… The point is, new stuff can be appealing. But have you noticed how quickly new things become not-so-new? New stuff wears out. The fresh new pair of kicks which started out bright and clean soon become faded and beat up. New tools get dinged up and eventually wear out. The golf clubs don't stay shiny. The fact is, everything on earth will inevitably break down and fizzle out.
Once when the disciples were observing the Temple, gazing at its majestic stonework and decor, Jesus began speaking to them about the future, explaining things they should pay attention to and reiterating what was to come. He then stated plainly, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear" (Luke 21:33). In other words, Jesus wanted the disciples to know the reality of how everything seen and even the current heaven and earth will eventually pass away. We know that God will make a new heaven and a new earth in due time (Revelation 21:1). But one thing that will never vanish, fade, or get old is God’s Word. Chew on that! Just take a moment to let that truth marinate in your mind. His words will NEVER go away!
The implication of this truth is to never be taken lightly. Isaiah 40:8 puts it like this: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Forever is a long, long time! So if the Lord has willed that the current heaven and earth will be destroyed to make room for the new heaven and new earth He will build, yet His words will remain, then most certainly we should pay careful attention to His words. Which begs the question: Are we paying careful attention to His Word, the Holy Bible? Psalm 119:89 and 93 state powerfully: "Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm…I will never forget Your commandments, for by them You give me life." Friends, let’s be encouraged afresh to prioritize reading, pondering, meditating on, praying through, and obeying God's Word! Each day, we should all carve out time to personally be in the Bible, listening, contemplating, learning, and acceping His truth. In so doing, He leads us to Christ who gives us true life.
Cheer up, friends!
-Scott