The Vapor of Life

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.” — Isaiah 40:7 Again we find the shortness of life compared to grass that sprouts in the morning, flourishes briefly, and is scorched by the sun in the heat of the day. Our life is brief, as fleeting as morning mist that disappears as the sun rises. Our life is as unstable as a cloud that dances with the wind in the heights. As Psalm 103:15-16 puts it, our life is like “a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”Even if we live long and reach a very old age, in the light of eternity our life is short and uncertain. We do not know the length of our days. We have no guarantee that we will be alive tomorrow. Our health does not guarantee us a long life. The strength of our muscles does not protect us from danger. Our intelligence does not shield us, and our academic achievements cannot hide us from death.The money we earn cannot lengthen our days or free us from death. We are vulnerable and powerless. We cannot stand on self-reliance. We are absolutely dependent on God. He must be our refuge. Only in him can we rest.Is God the refuge of your life? In what ways have you found peace in him? Father, remind us of the brevity of life, and free us from self-reliance. In our vulnerability, be our refuge. Help us to rest in your eternal strength, trust in your care, and find peace in your faithful presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.