How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word. What more can He say, Than to you He hath said; ~ “How Firm a Foundation” excerpt from verse 1, 1787 by John Rippon.      This hymn stands high on my shortlist of favorites. It speaks of the Scripture expression of God’s heart and mind that we know as the Logos or Word. A firm foundation is laid there for your faith, and reading the Bible is a most excellent way to build a house upon it. Foundations reveal the footprint but, until the walls are raised and the roof secured, one can only imagine what a life of faith, hope, and love will be like.      “Fear not, I am with thee, Oh be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, And cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) The walls of faith are erected as a defense against the Enemy whose chief weapon is fear. There is a runaway slope called doubt that steepens toward worry, fear, and panic. Panic leads to chaos, and then Satan cackles with delight. Therefore, when worry and fear trouble your soul, remember the LORD is with you. Put up your wall and fasten it to the foundation; put your back against the onslaught and look up. There you will see the LORD’s mighty hand solidly alongside you.       "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.". (Isaiah 43:2) The roof, secured to the walls, is upheld by the foundation and stands ready to resist the Enemy’s oppression that comes like a deluge. The LORD shelters you amid the storm even while its fierce winds cleanse decay from the trees and plains. Its waters fill the lakes, rivers, streams, and cisterns so that they are replenished. You are placed safely under the LORD’s protection even as the LORD repurposes the Enemy’s assault, sanctifying it and applying it to your nurture.       "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine." (2 Corinthians 12:9) The refiner’s fire warms the house of faith. The crucible generates light and heat, and there will be a mixture of pain and comfort while tending it. It is a bulwark against the cold, bony finger of the Accuser that seeks to penetrate the walls through their weaknesses. The LORD is there, in the bright, unbearable light pushing your dross to the surface to be skimmed away. The Enemy and your impurities flee as the LORD increases the heat.       "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Peter 1:4) There is a comfortable chair in the house of faith. In it, you find comfort and security. There, in the quiet respite, the LORD says nothing and perhaps you are tempted to think the LORD is not with you. Still, there is confidence as you scan the walls, the roof, and the glowing furnace. Then, when the Enemy strikes again with even greater ferocity, you feel the arms of the LORD envelop and uphold You, who for refuge to Jesus have fled. The LORD will never, never forsake you.       Now, open your Bible and buildup your house of faith!