“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” ” (Isaiah 51:6-8, ESV)

In this passage we see Isaiah speaking on behalf of the Lord, and in his prophecy he compares things that will pass away with things that will last FOREVER.

Look at what we are told will pass away:

The Heavens as we currently know them to be, will vanish like smoke

The earth as we know it will wear out like a garment

The life that dwells on the earth will die in a similar manner

Man, with all of his reproaches and revilings, will become like a moth eaten garment or a piece of worm eaten wool

All of these statements have one thing in common; they turn our attention to the TEMPORALNESS of much that is in this world. It is passing away…

In contrast, the Lord’s RIGHTEOUSNESS and His SALVATION are things that will never pass away. We are told here that they will:

Be forever

Never be dismayed

Be to all generations

The idea is permanence. Isaiah wants us to realize that there is a difference between the Temporal things of this world and the permanent things that belong exclusively to Him.

What are you living for? Does your life consist of the fallen elements of this world that will vanish and be eaten away, or is it focused on bringing about the eternal realities of God and His Kingdom? We should live In Christ and live for Christ. We should allow RIGHTEOUSNESS and SALVATION to be the things that are of utmost importance in our lives.