The brevity of life ∙∙∙
6 All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God lasts forever. – Isaiah 40:6-8
Psalms 103:15-17
15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone, as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him.
Life’s Built-In Expiration Date
Every person who comes into this world has a predetermined expiration date. None of us knows when our time will come, but one thing is certain: shuffling off this mortal coil is inevitable. As the years go by, we are constantly reminded of life’s brevity. Along the way, we experience the heartache of losing loved ones, witness changes in the world around us, and undergo internal transformations.
A Fitting Illustration of Transience
No matter how long we live, life is undeniably brief when measured against the vastness of eternity. To grasp the concept of transience, one needs only observe the grass and flowers in a field. There could be no better example, as they perfectly illustrate the fleeting nature of life. As Oswalt aptly says, “Quickly grown and quickly withered, it is blown this way and that by every wind.”
Isaiah captures this truth in his words: Isaiah 40:6 Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field.
Isaiah doesn’t stop there. He directly compares the shortness of human life to the fleeting existence of grass and flowers: Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD. And so it is with people.
The Eternal Word of God
In stark contrast to the fleeting nature of human life, the Word of God endures forever. While human transience is inevitable, the permanence of the Father and His promises remains unshaken. No matter the circumstances, what the Father has spoken in His Word will surely come to pass.
Isaiah declares, Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.
There are only two things on the planet Earth that are eternal: the Word of God and the human soul.
The Unchanging Love of the Father
The Father’s love for the children of the King is steady and unfailing. It never wavers. In a constantly changing world, He remains the one enduring reality. As Geoffrey W. Grogan notes, “He designed it so.”
With confidence and hope, we can always rely on our unchanging Father. His loving kindness and support are unwavering for all who belong to Him. A relationship with Him is a source of endless joy and fulfillment.
Faith Through Adversity
Charles Spurgeon beautifully reminds us of the value of tested faith, “No faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs through adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through.”
Aligning with What Truly Matters
Such insights often lead us to ask life’s big questions:
- What is constant and certain?
- What truly matters?
- What lasts and endures over time?
In light of these questions, many reevaluate their priorities. Would it not be wiser to align ourselves with what truly matters and lasts forever?
REFLECT & PRAY
Life is brief. When we are young, we may feel invincible and believe we will live forever, but as we grow older, we come to realize the truth about how brief life truly is.
Father, thank You for Your understanding and compassion. Encourage me to immerse myself in Your eternal goodness and loyal love. Help me to focus on what truly matters and to find joy in my relationship with You.
INSIGHT
Life’s Fleeting Nature
David writes of the sobering truth Psalms 103:15 Our days on earth are like grass; like a flower of the field, we bloom and die.
Life passes quickly, slipping away before we fully appreciate its brevity. However, David, a man deeply knowledgeable in the ways of God, does not give in to despair or resignation. Instead, he chooses joy and hope. Is this denial? Certainly not. David’s profound connection with the Father gives him a higher perspective that transforms his outlook and fills him with overwhelming joy.
The Father’s Eternal Goodness vs. Human Frailty
What does David see from this elevated perspective? He observes the stark contrast between the Father’s everlasting goodness and loyal love and humanity’s fleeting transience and vulnerability.
How does the Father respond to human weakness? Fully aware of our fragility and tendency to fail, He responds with compassion. He knows that we are but dust. He formed us from the dirt of the ground. We are like short-lived flowers and grass that wither and blow away without leaving a trace.
David proclaims for all time that the Lord God Almighty, our Father, treats us gently and kindly, just like a loving and compassionate father. Psalms 103:13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate.
The Father’s deep understanding of our frailty prompts a kind and gentle response. Our weakness appeals to His compassion, as noted by Expositors: “The Father responds to us with pity. He knows what we are, that we are frail and needy.”
David’s Response: Worship and Joy
David perceives life from the Father’s perspective. He sees as the Father sees. Rather than allowing the brevity of life to lead him into despair, David chooses to worship. He does not focus on human limitations; instead, he immerses himself in the truth of the Father’s eternal goodness and steadfast love. David celebrates his close, intimate relationship with the Father, finding joy in His unwavering love and care.
Remembering What the Father Knows
Frequently, we forget what the Father remembers: we are made from dust. As MacDonald observes, “We are formed from the dust of the ground.” This truth, rather than being a source of discouragement, can inspire us to embrace joy, contentment, and gratitude.
Each of us has been granted the freedom to make that choice. David, over time, learned from his mistakes and discovered how to make the right choices, which led to a life filled with joy.
The Call to Kindness and Understanding
Clarence Darrow offers a poignant reflection: “When we fully understand the brevity of life, its fleeting joys, and unavoidable pains; when we accept the facts that all men and women are approaching an inevitable doom: the consciousness of it should make us more kindly and considerate of each other. . .. It should bring a closer kinship, a better understanding, and a deeper sympathy for the wayfarers who must live a common life and die a common death.”
Aging and Emotional Stability
Laura Carstensen provides an encouraging insight: “As it turns out, most grumpy old people used to be grumpy young people. Aging doesn’t turn a cheerful person into a grouch. To the contrary, research has shown that, as we age, we become more emotionally stable and content.”
Grimace or Gratitude: The Choice Is Ours
Life’s brevity presents us with a choice: to grimace in despair or to embrace gratitude and joy. David’s example reminds us that when faced with life’s fleeting nature, we can choose to focus on the Father’s eternal goodness and steadfast love.
The decision is ours to make. Will we choose to live with gratitude, kindness, and joy? Or will we allow life’s transience to weigh us down? The answer lies in our hands.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 