Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NAS)
This is because I usually begin the devotional with an anecdote, event or an experiential life story of someone or mine. In my thoughts is the constant question, “Will this devotional still be applicable years down the road?”
As a devotional writer, I hope to carry through in my writings not only a message that touches hearts and glorifies God’s name but also is current, practical, and preferably timeless—always applicable and never outdated. Many a time, however, such a goal is not achievable because nothing on this earth lasts forever—not our wealth, treasures, circumstances, ideas or our writings (Matthew 6:18-20; James 5:2-3).
Every one of us goes through different chapters in our lives. As each tenure ends and another begins, we need always to be ready to let go what was lost or had expired and move on rather than hang on to what is no longer ours. Our jobs, our loved ones, and the many things we once treasured may have passed on, yet there is no need for us to resign ourselves without hope. Even if we may begin to wear out physically, we need not lose heart, because inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Just as in order to travel abroad we need our passports to be renewed regularly, so it is upon the expiry of each stage of our lives that we ought also to renew and regain new strength from God. For those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength and mount up with wings like eagles, and will not get tired or become weary (Isaiah 40:31). Our God will lead us in our days ahead, even to our old age (Isaiah 46:4).
Like grass and flower, our possessions and writings may wither and fade, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Even after heaven and earth have passed away, the words of our Lord will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). God is eternal and His word endures forever (Psalm 119:89; 1 Peter 1:25). Everything God does remains forever and will not expire (Ecclesiastes 3:14). His love is everlasting; His kingdom and throne remain forever (Jeremiah 33:11; Lamentations 5:19).
Are we pursuing things that expire after some time or accumulating things that do not last? Have we lost someone or something that we become pessimistic in our outlook? Are we diligently studying and learning from the one source that lasts forever—the word of God, to know the One who is ready to lead us all the days of our lives?
If we are willing to let go our unhappy past and move on to gain new strength from God, He who is eternal, together with His word which endures forever, will guide us for the rest of our days on earth.
Lead us dear Lord all the days of our lives. See us through good times and bad times. Do not let us for any reason give up hope or see the future with despair, gloom, or pessimism. Help us not hold on to things that are already lost or have expired or hang on to sad memories of the past. Renew our minds and strength Lord that we may look forward to the days ahead as we continue to walk in You. We love You Lord and exalt Your name for Your love is everlasting and Your kingdom and throne endures forever.
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