" The grass withereth, the flower faileth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." - Isaiah 40:8.

The contrast really intended here is not between the word of God and the grass of the field; for there are many other things to share with Scripture the honor of out-living the flowers of earth. In one sense the Bible resembles the grass of the field; if by great efforts the latter be rooted up and cast into the fire, much time will not elapse before that same spot is seen verdant again with a new growth. And many rulers have sought to destroy the crop of Bibles sown in their do minions, but have spent their strength for nought. The contrast is really between man, his works and his glory, and the word of God. Like grass, man shall wither; like the flower, his glory shall pass away; but the word of our God endureth forever.

Even so, Isaiah! The word of God uttered by thee has come down to us through twenty-five troubled centuries, serenely riding out the storms of every generation, and beholding the wreck of many empires. Whilst thou wert writing thine unnoticed page, stupendous monuments were being erected here and there in the world; but ruin has long since overtaken these. During seventy generations the providence of God has steadily corroborated thy statements, and shown that the nations, before God, are nothing, less than nothing and vanity.

With what avidity would men drink in the intelligence that a plant had been discovered whose fruit conferred immortality. With what a frantic joy would they precipitate themselves to ward that stray plant of heaven found upon the earth. But the word of God really possesses and really communicates immortality. It endures forever, and he who embraces it by faith, endures forever. It is the word of life; and nothing shall by any means harm them who have made it their own. In the last day, when there shall be a terrific overthrow of the pomp, pride, and strength of man, the word of God, so oft rejected, so much despised upon the earth, will be seen upon the throne of God, and all the friends of that word around about the throne. Ye neologians and rationalists, and all who have sought to draw the pen of unhallowed criticism through this or that text, how will you stand confounded when you see indestructible life and glory belonging to the word of God. You will feel as though you had been detected in an attempt to murder angels, beings possessing the life of heaven.