By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

A Gift That Lasts

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 New International Version

As I look across the fields of crimson clover I remember farmer Ron’s words, “Every year on Mother’s Day the crimson clover will be in full bloom.”  And sure enough, this photo taken on Mother’s Day bears witness to Ron’s words.  The clover blooms crimson for another Mother’s Day.

I think of the gift I often brought my Mom on Mother’s Day, a handful of hand picked flowers to tell her I appreciated her.  It was a wonderful thought, but the flowers lasted for just a few days and then they withered and were gone.  And perhaps sometimes my appreciation and gratefulness for my Mom’s sacrifices didn’t last much longer than that!

How fleeting and temporary are our gifts to one another and to God!  How often I catch myself complaining and grumbling about all sorts of things, quickly forgetting all the wonderful gifts that God has given me.  And His gifts are not temporary, but everlasting!

For He has given me His own Son and all the grace that He has brought to me and all believers.  Forgiveness, peace with God, true joy, eternal life, true love, enduring and faithful promises.  God’s Word is true and does not change, unlike my love and gratefulness!

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.  His faithfulness and His gifts are not based on the temporary feelings of the moment, but upon His mercy and His Word, always true and never changing.  His promises for me and you are always true, for His mercy endures forever!

“Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado