When we moved into our new home six years ago, we laid over 200 rolls of sod in our front yard. We watered it faithfully, but despite our best efforts, the vast majority of those two by five foot pieces of sod died.  To this day we have very little Bermuda grass growing in our front yard.

That same summer I officiated at the wedding of my best friend’s daughter, and we celebrated together, not knowing that just over four months later he would quite unexpectedly make his entrance into the presence of our Savior. We were born in the same month and the same year, so it was a sobering realization that life here on earth does come to an end for all of us.

Those first two paragraphs are related. When I saw the dead or dying grass, and when I thought about the death of my friend,  I was reminded of the following passages of Scripture.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning — though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. (Psalm 90:5–6)

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. (Psalm 102:11)

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)

For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24–25 quoting Isaiah 40)

My reflection on dead grass and birthdays and the death of my friend was anything but morbid. It was comforting because of the promises God has given me in His Word. In fact, I spent some time thanking God that I knew His Word well enough to recall these promises.

The creator of everything, the one who adorns grass with such beauty even though it withers and dies, cares for me. Yes, I will wither and die as well because of sin. But the Word that was preached to me tells me that God cares for me more than grass. God’s concern for me and all people was so vast that His Word became flesh and lived among us as one of us. God’s Word incarnate came down here to take my sin, pay for it all, and rise victorious over death so that my physical death would not be the end for me.

Because of my faith in my Savior Jesus, I know that I will stand before Him and be welcomed into His presence for all eternity when my time on earth is through. I hope that is your confidence as well. If not, I would encourage you to read God’s Word for yourself and listen to the Good News of what He has done for you.