May 11 I Wednesday

2 Kings 13-14

John 2

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them.”   

—Isaiah 40:6-7

The opening verse of this devotion from the Prophet Isaiah talks about how finite humanity is compared to how infinite God’s Word is. Beyond just the frailty of life, Isaiah points to how our faithfulness is like the flowers. In fact, even our faithfulness falls short—like flowers, when God blows on them, they fall to the ground. As depressing as this sounds for us, there is good news—Isaiah 40:9 tells us, “You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’”

      Fulfilling this prophecy in the New Testament was John the Baptist. He brought the good news to the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding towns of Judah, which was where his ministry took place. Now, what is the good news that John the Baptist proclaimed? The problem that every single person has is that we are all like grass and our life is withering away, but God has come to rescue us from the bondage of sin and death. 

      How is God going to rescue His people? Isaiah 40:10-11 continues, “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and He rules with a mighty arm. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” Like a shepherd, He wants to take us into His arms. Even though our faithfulness is like flowers that fall, He who saved us is faithful, and by His grace, we are important to Him.

      John the Baptist went preaching about the mystery of God’s love, calling all people to reform their whole approach to God and to rethink their lives in light of His arrival. Jesus Christ has come to shepherd His people, to carry them in His arms, to carry the young, the weak and the vulnerable close to His heart and to gently lead His people. All of this is the mystery of the gospel. While in one breath of His mouth, God could end our withered existence and sweep it all away, He has come to carry His people, to shepherd them, to rescue them.

      What an amazing grace that our God is faithful to save! With whom can we share this good news today?

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for being the Good Shepherd, rescuing me from the bondage of sin. Show me whom I could share Your good news with today.