Divine Images, part 5: Grass

 

Some things that God has made we see a lot (and see a lot of).  Grass is one of them.  It is interesting, then, to consider what God has said about grass in Scripture.  When you see the grass there are certain things you would do well to remember.

First, remember your time in this world is very brief.  You are here today and gone tomorrow.  The psalmist says, “My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass (102:11).”  “As for man his days are as grass: as a flower of the filed so he flourisheth (Psalm 103:15).”  Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up (Psalm 90:5).”  “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away (1 Peter 1:24).”  Knowing, then, that your time is short, knowing your life is “even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away (James 4:14) and like grass that withers, redeem the time!  Pray that the Lord would teach you to number your days and live with a sense of holy urgency.

Second, remember that while the grass withers and fades, the word of the Lord endures forever.  We change. Like grass, customs and cultures and kingdoms and people come and go; but God’s word endures forever. As the old hymn says, His truth abideth still. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever (Psalm 4:7-8).”

Third, remember when the wicked seem to flourish that their flourishing is for a very little while.  “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever (Psalm 92:7).” They may seem now to be vindicated, they may seem to succeed at everything they do, but their springing up is as the grass, and their flourishing will be followed by eternal destruction.

Fourth, remember that those who hate Zion, and all enemies of Christ shall either whither quickly or be cut down like grass.  “Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up (Psalm 129:6).”  “For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb (Psalm 37:2).” God may allow them to flourish for a little while, but they will soon be cut down. Remember, happy is the people whose God is the LORD. Never envy the wicked!

Fifth, remember that man is not to be feared!  God says, “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass (Isaiah 51:12).” The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, but folly is bound up in us so that we are inclined rather to fear man. How foolish this is. Man’s strength and riches are all borrowed. He is a finite creature upheld at every moment and kept alive by the sovereign pleasure of God. Remember that this same sovereign almighty God is for us! Who then can be against us? Why fear man who is like grass when the eternal and unchangeable God is your God?

Sixth, if you are rich or jealous of the rich remember that wealth and riches will not last.  “But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.  For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways (James 1:10-11).” Paul tells Timothy to urge the rich not to trust in uncertain riches. It is good for both the wealthy and the poor to remember that as the flower of the grass so the rich will pass away.

Seventh, remember that God has promised to provide for you. Are you anxious, wondering how you will provide for yourself and your family? “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith (Matthew 6:30)?  See also Luke 12:28.

Eighth, remember that His Word will be attended with blessings.  The bride says that His mouth is sweet.  She is referring to the mouth of our Saviour. It is sweet but it is also powerful. His mouth (His word) is like showers upon the grass, refreshing and life giving.  “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass (Deuteronomy 32:2).” Cherish your Bible, read it, know it, meditate on it and memorize it.

Ninth, remember that God has a remnant which shall not merely survive but thrive in the midst of their enemies.  We are sometimes discouraged by our small numbers. The enemies of the cross are many! And we are few… We often think - foolishly - that our small numbers are a disadvantage. We forget Gideon! Actually, we forget Gideon’s God! God’s people have always succeeded by His might and power. They were victors always as God delivered their enemies into their hands. So, what is the impact of the remnant in the midst of darkness and surrounded by enemies? “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men (Micah 5:7).”  

Tenth, remember God’s promise to the thirsty.  He will pour water upon them and they (and their offspring) will spring up as among grass.  Isaiah says, “For I will pour water upon him that is thrist, and floods upon the dry ground:  I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offerings.  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses (Isaiah 44:3-4).”  Some of us are thirsty for God.  We are in a dry and thirsty land where no water is, and like the hart panting for the water brooks we pant for God.  Here God promises to answer the longing of His people. He will give them water and cause them (and their offspring) to spring up as among the grass!

Eleventh, remember that God promises an outpouring of His Spirit upon those who ask.  “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field (Zechariah 10:1).” We often remind ourselves of Jesus’ promise to give to those who ask. Would you like God to pour out His Spirit upon your family, upon the Church, upon this nation? Ask Him!

Twelfth, remember that a great outpouring of the Spirit is coming.  Revival is coming!  God has promised it.  “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth (Psalm 72:6).”  Then He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and then kings shall fall down before Him and nations serve Him (Psalm 72:8, 11).