"The grass withers and the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."-Isaiah 40:7-8 How can we, who are regarded as grass before the Lord, stand? I hold my kids and look into faces that look like me and the one who, only a few years ago, I was doing everything I could just to get her to let me spend some time with her. I awake to see my beautiful wife asleep in the early morning, the one who has taken my name, wears my ring and has gone all in with me. I look up through an opening in the eaves of pine trees into an immeasurably deep sky whose "line has gone out through all the earth," and whose "utterances to the end of the world." As Daddies, the Lord has given us these glimpses of His glory. How can we possibly be enough to serve Him, to stand as fence posts for our families?
"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes."-Isaiah 40:11
God, Himself, by whose Word everything was created and is sustained, who has established us will tend us, gather our children and carry them in his bosom and gently lead those caring for them. In this perishing world that breathes threats against the righteous, we have been told to let not our hearts be troubled.
"Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing."-Isaiah 40:26
"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."-Isaiah 40:29-31