In front of our house in Chicago was a silver maple tree. Although the house is gone, the tree is still there. I’m guessing it’s around 130 years old. In the fall silver maples are a disappointment. The leaves turn a yellowish-brown and crumple as they fall. There was nothing much to admire about our tree in autumn. It was just the cause of pile after pile of dead leaves that had to be racked up. And when the city forbade leaf burning, even that small exciting compensation was lost.

That memory is tied for me with a Bible passage, Isaiah 40:6-7, “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth.” That’s not one of the cheery parts of the Bible. It reminds us of the frailty of human life. We are here for a brief spell, then wither and fade. Yet this passage takes a sudden change in verse 8: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” And then comes the encouraging words  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!”

Maybe you’re familiar with these words from this chorus in Handel’s “Messiah.”

When the days seem to get you down, keep in mind the assurance that God stands forever.

Read Isaiah 40:1-8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne