Weekly Devotion: All Flesh Is As Grass

“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: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” 1 Peter 1:24, 25a

God says that “all flesh” is “as grass”, so if we want to understand our “flesh” we need to study “grass”. First we need to rid our minds of whatever grass is in our yard, because the “grass” mentioned here is a flowering one. There are many different kinds of flowering grasses but consider a specific kind mentioned in the Bible, that I believe is in meant to picture Christians.

“…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:28b-33

By letting the Bible define itself, we see that God considers “lilies” to be the flowering “grass” that pictures the needs of our flesh, i.e. food, water, and clothing! How beautifully “lilies” fit the picture of Christians when we read that Solomon prophetically called Jesus, “the lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1)! The word “lily” comes from the Hebrew; meaning “whiteness” just as Jesus is pure and white. The “lily” is fragrant like our Lord, and though it is the tallest of flowers it is bowed toward the earth in humility. Jesus was both man and God, the “lily” has six pedals (the number of man) containing seven seeds (the number of perfection). Time fails to draw out all the parallels of this fruitful, trumpet shaped flower, but note that it also has many medicinal virtues for healing, just like our Lord. Some varieties of “lilies” are scarlet red which reminds us that many are still lost in their sins and have not been washed “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). The soberness in these texts is that “grass” only “flourisheth” a short while and then “it is gone”.

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Ps. 103:15, 16

Friend, our days, like “grass” are few, and we will all soon wither and fade away, “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever”. Won’t you let the healing grace of “the lily of the valleys” cure your scarlet sins by seeking “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness”? Don’t put any “confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3), consider the effect of the “sun” on those who reverence God’s name; “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2a). Like “grass” you may be having a hay day and enjoying your time in the “sun”, but consider the effect of the “risen” “sun” on those who reject God and seek earthly riches, then pray to the true son (Jesus) for forgiveness, and be healed today…

“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 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 1:9-11