They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure.
A perishing world and an immutable God
The great practical lesson which we are being daily taught is this, to withdraw our hearts from a changing and decaying world; and fix our hopes, and seek our happiness, in an unchanging and eternal God. This is the secret of real and permanent happiness to the soul of man.
I. The description which the text gives of the material world--the heavens and the earth. They are described as--
1. The effect of Divine operation. The contemplation of God’s creative wisdom and power, as displayed in the works of His hands, should deepen the feeling of awe and reverence, with which we regard His sacred majesty.
2. Mutable, perishable, and destined to destruction.
II. The contrast which it presents in the perfections of the world’s Creator and man’s Redeemer. Thus the shifting scenes and dissolving frame of nature may be improved by the children of God to their own comfort, by giving the force of a most advantageous contrast to the perfections of God their Saviour.
III. The conclusion which it draws from this view of the Divine character. God our Redeemer will maintain His cause in this mutable world, as long as the world shall continue. Conclusion:--
1. How utterly unsuitable the world and the things of the world are to be the chief objects of man’s solicitude and pursuit.
2. How preeminently secure and blest are they, whose dependence and hopes are fixed in the eternal God. (Essex Remembrancer.)
Things which grow not old
1. The love and mercy of God as shown in our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, never grow old or wear out.
2. The salvation of Jesus has not grown old.
3. The sympathy of Jesus never grows old or worn out.
4. Heaven never changes nor wears out. And yet how old Heaven is! (H. J. Wilmot Buxton, M.A.)