Verses that inspire

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8, NIV)

For most of the chapters before the fortieth chapter of Isaiah, the prophet had been warning the people of Israel of the judgment that was coming. He told them again and again that they needed to repent. He pleaded with them to turn back to their God, and to listen to the Words of truth from YAHWEH.

They still didn't listen.

Isaiah used withering grasses and spent flowers fading on their stems to illustrate the transient nature of man's life on earth. He tried and tried to encourage Israel to come back to the Lord. There's such a stark contrast between the permanence and stability of God's eternal Word and the fleeting span of grasses by the pathways we walk.  

His Word? 

Permanently established. Steadfast. Secure. 

How long will it endure? Eternity!

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (II Thessalonians 3:3)

He is faithful.

His Word and His love will endure. His promises are sure. We can depend upon them and rest in His love.