The Fragility of Life
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 40:6; Psalm 90:1-6
“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.”
Our text today emphasizes two solemn truths that point to the same fact. There is no room for human vanity. Human pride is nothing but utter foolishness.
Our bodies are as fragile as grass. We have physical weaknesses that cannot be disguised. Time carves wrinkles into our faces, and make-up cannot cover it. Our legs become weak, our knees wobble, our hands droop, our eyes blur, and every gray hair that sprouts on our heads is a reminder of the shortness of our lives.
We also have emotional weaknesses. There are times when we despair of life itself. We cry, we moan, we sob, assailed by anguish. We have moral and spiritual weaknesses as well. We promise to walk in righteousness, and yet our feet often stray down winding paths. We are ambiguous and contradictory people. The good we want to do, we do not do; and the evil we hate, we practice.
Besides being fragile like grass, all the glory we achieve has a fleeting beauty like that of the flowers of the field. The heat of the sun makes the delicate flower wither and dry. Our glory is fleeting, and our accomplishments pass away. Our achievements are lost in the dust of time. We are too small, too fragile, too young!
But, thankfully, that doesn’t have to be our end. In the Lord we can trust that our destiny is safe with him.
O God, remind us of our frailty and free us from pride. In our weakness, be our strength. In your glory, fill us with your life. Anchor our hearts in you alone. Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Dias Lopes
Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes is the Portuguese ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He also serves as director of Luz Para o Caminho (“Light for the Way”), an organization formed in partnership between ReFrame and the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Rev. Lopes travels around the world to preach and teach the Bible. He and his wife, Udemilta (Tinha), live in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and have two children.
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