Short Lives and Eternal Love

Scripture:
Men and women don’t live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him.
Psalm 103:15-17

Observation: The power of the Lord - and especially his great love - is mighty and eternal. Throughout this psalm, the greatness of every element of the Lord is discussed eloquently and in terms that make it clear he is unequaled. From his grace, to his mercy, to his love, to his judgment, to his authority, to his control, to his wisdom ... in everything Yahweh is both supreme and eternal. However, as this passage clarifies, this is not true for humans, who by comparison live a short time, have lives as fragile as delicate flowers, and can parish through a flash of a storm or accident.

Application: It has been over a year since Lahaina burned ... reduced from the town we love, to literally several thousand piles of ash. The heart of Lahainatown was erased from physical existence, and along with it over 100 lives. Many others - people and institutions alike - have chosen to leave permanently. It was only just this week that my wife and I had the heart to watch some of the post-fire news reals, and to see some of the first-hand video of both the burning and the personal hardships that occurred.

It is true, humans and human things of this world do not live very long. Even when beautiful like wildflowers, they can be totally wiped away in an instant, as by a storm.

Yet even in the context of loss and destruction and death, the hope of God's authority remains. That authority brings with it love, grace, healing, and comfort, and it brings those things in such great measures that we cannot even understand. And the Lord will provide those things to all people, forever.

Prayer: Abba, our daddy, please continue to heal the people of Lahaina and Maui. They remain hurting and lost. Some are stronger, some feel your love, but some are so very broken and lost, and this still after a year. Lahaina was just buildings, but the people make it a place worthy of your goodness and love and comfort. May a place named after the searing heat of the sun become better known for the warmth of your love. Amen.