Endurance is a quality of continuance. But everything in our physical world has its limits. Life is full of things that do not last. Our physical strength fades, our beauty changes, our possessions wear out, and the accomplishment we work so hard to achieve will eventually be forgotten. In our world, things are constantly changing; technology advances, and new ideas take over. Yet one thing never changes. In I Peter 1:24-25, Peter reminds us that “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
Peter uses the picture of grass and flowers to remind us that human life is temporary. One day grass is green and growing, but when the hot summers rob it of water, it will die. Flowers bloom and can be fragrant and beautiful for a few days, but soon the petals will fall off.
We are much like the grass and flowers; our bodies wear out, and the things we accomplish are soon replaced by greater technology. Things of this life are temporary. Not only do they fade away, but things also can never provide a lasting foundation for our souls. But Peter does not leave us focused on what fades. He directs our attention to what never changes. God and His word have been, and always will be.
This truth of an unchanging God and His unchanging word brings to us a humbling truth. We spend most of our lives pursuing things that only have temporary value. We become consumed with success, recognition, financial security, or the approval of others.
While nothing is inherently wrong with working hard, caring for our families, or pursuing meaningful goals, we often begin to depend on things rather than God. The danger comes when we make those things the foundation of our lives. Not only do we start to depend on the wrong things, but if our identity rests on our accomplishments, we will feel worthless when we fail. If our peace depends on our circumstances, we will lose it when turmoil comes. If your joy depends on people’s approval, you will be discouraged when they don’t agree with you.
Peter teaches us to invest in things that endure. The only things that have permanent endurance are the things of God. He shows us the contrast of grass and flowers and how they fail, but God’s Word endures. If He makes a promise, there is no doubt He will keep it. Whatever God says is true, and it cannot change. He and everything about Him have an unchanging foundation.
In Malachi 3:6, God says, “For I am the LORD, I change not.”
In Hebrews 13:8, God’s word gives us a simple but profound truth that should cause us to rejoice. He teaches us that “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” He is eternal, and everything about Him is eternal. He is unchangeable. This verse encourages us to persevere because He is always the same. Our Redeemer is immutable, which means it is not possible for Him to change. If He were changing, who could we depend on? How could we trust in a God whose character was always changing? We couldn’t, but our God is not like that. He NEVER changes.
James also teaches us of this character trait of God. In James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” No variation equals no change!
In Hebrews 1:10-12, the author reminds us that God was before anything or anyone else. He laid the foundation of the world. I am so thankful that my God and His word endure forever. I am thankful He is not like us. We change our minds from minute to minute. We let our sinful pride guide much of our thinking. We allow others’ opinions to change our actions. The only thing about us that doesn’t change is the truth God has put in place. We all have a soul that will live forever somewhere. We cannot change that truth. Yet, we have a God who laid the foundation of the world, who gave His Son to die for our sins, and who offers us eternal life. He still saves us by His grace. He still offers mercy to us who don’t deserve it. He is still with those who have accepted His Son as their Savior and live in obedience to His word. Everything about Him endures forever, and I am so thankful for that truth. In a world where everything changes, I have a God who does not change.
Hebrews 1:10-12 “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remains; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. “
