“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:16,17
Former U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker, reported that on Friday, November 30, 2018, he went in to visit his dear friend, George Herbert Walker Bush at 7:15 in the morning. Bush turned to Baker and said, “Hey, Bake, where are we going today?” Baker responded, “Well Jefe,” (Spanish for Chief) “we’re going to heaven.’ To which Bush replied, “Good, that’s where I want to go.” Little did either one of them know, that shortly after 10 o’clock that evening, President George H. W. Bush would enter eternity. In his last hours, all of his family spoke with him, ending with George W. Bush thanking him for being a great father and assuring his father of his love for him. The dying President’s final words were, “I love you too.”
However, the truth remains that man’s days are like grass – he flourishes one moment, only for the wind to pass over him and reduce his life to nothing. Whether you are only known by a few people, or whether you are known by millions around the world, your days are like grass. Whether your funeral will be a simple service attended only by a few who loved you, or a state funeral with all its pomp and ceremony, and attended by dignitaries from around the world, yet your life is but a vapour, that will soon pass away.
Notwithstanding, the Psalmist does not wish to leave us in despair, but, rather contrasts the brevity of life with the eternality of the steadfast love of the LORD upon those who fear Him! All those who come to Him, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith are made eternal recipients of such an incomprehensible love! As wonderful as it must have been to hear the words, “I love you!” from a dying, earthly father, yet far, far greater is the indescribable wonder of hearing the eternal words, “I love you!” from the Sovereign God who is directing all things for His eternal glory, and who has become our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ!
