How Firm a Foundation
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more, indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
[Hebrews 12:26-29, ESV]
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
[George Keith, How Firm a Foundation]
Calamity has a way of revealing what, and how sure, our foundation truly is. After 9/11 shook our foundations, many people realized that—despite the responsible attempts of our leaders—there is no such thing as "Homeland Security." That day my mom put this note on their refrigerator door: "Security is not found in governments or in men; Security is found only in Jesus Christ." And she’s right. We have a different and permanent homeland that we await from heaven [Hebrews 11:13-16, 12:22-24, 13:14], and we have a stronger security than any man or group of men can ever offer us [John 6:35-51, 10:1-5, 27-29; Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 6:13-20]. This is the glorious lesson of the life of Job.
Job may have suffered more than any other person in the Old Testament. All at once, Job got news that 1) the Sabeans had slaughtered all of his oxen and donkeys and all of the servants that cared for them (except one), 2) the fire of God from heaven burned up all of his sheep and all of the servants that cared for them (except one), 3) the Chaldeans stole all of his camels and killed all of the servants that cared for them (except one), and as if all this wasn’t enough, 4) a great wind knocked a house down on top of all ten of his children (seven sons and three daughters). So in the space of a few short seconds, Job discovered that he had vicious enemies, he lost his entire source of livelihood, he lost all of his servants, and he lost all of his children. This is immense personal calamity. Almost none of us will ever experience loss so great as this in our life. Yet what was his response? He worshipped God!
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." [Job 1:20-21, ESV]
The lesson of Job for all of life is exactly what Louie Giglio said when reflecting on the tragedy of 9/11. He said: "Worship is ALWAYS the correct response." When Christ alone is the source and strength of your foundation, your foundation cannot and shall not ever be shaken. He said "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." [Matthew 24:35, KJV] He did not say "heaven and earth MIGHT pass away." Calamity and personal loss will come, but if we "Trust in the name of the LORD," that He is Sovereign and Good and that He will "never, no never, no never forsake" us, we will have a steadfast anchor of our soul. Governments and countries will come and go, but Christ stands firm forever! With Heaven our Homeland, and Christ our Security, "we shall never be moved!"
God is in the heaven-and-earth-shaking business: how firm is your foundation?
Suggested Reading:
Hebrews 6:17-20
A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther) and How Firm a Foundation (George Keith): Excellent!
GENERATION Magazine, Vol. 3, Issue 3
Note: we do not necessarily agree with all opinions expressed, but most of it is very good!
[Hebrews 12:26-29, ESV]
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
[George Keith, How Firm a Foundation]
Calamity has a way of revealing what, and how sure, our foundation truly is. After 9/11 shook our foundations, many people realized that—despite the responsible attempts of our leaders—there is no such thing as "Homeland Security." That day my mom put this note on their refrigerator door: "Security is not found in governments or in men; Security is found only in Jesus Christ." And she’s right. We have a different and permanent homeland that we await from heaven [Hebrews 11:13-16, 12:22-24, 13:14], and we have a stronger security than any man or group of men can ever offer us [John 6:35-51, 10:1-5, 27-29; Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 6:13-20]. This is the glorious lesson of the life of Job.
Job may have suffered more than any other person in the Old Testament. All at once, Job got news that 1) the Sabeans had slaughtered all of his oxen and donkeys and all of the servants that cared for them (except one), 2) the fire of God from heaven burned up all of his sheep and all of the servants that cared for them (except one), 3) the Chaldeans stole all of his camels and killed all of the servants that cared for them (except one), and as if all this wasn’t enough, 4) a great wind knocked a house down on top of all ten of his children (seven sons and three daughters). So in the space of a few short seconds, Job discovered that he had vicious enemies, he lost his entire source of livelihood, he lost all of his servants, and he lost all of his children. This is immense personal calamity. Almost none of us will ever experience loss so great as this in our life. Yet what was his response? He worshipped God!
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." [Job 1:20-21, ESV]
The lesson of Job for all of life is exactly what Louie Giglio said when reflecting on the tragedy of 9/11. He said: "Worship is ALWAYS the correct response." When Christ alone is the source and strength of your foundation, your foundation cannot and shall not ever be shaken. He said "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." [Matthew 24:35, KJV] He did not say "heaven and earth MIGHT pass away." Calamity and personal loss will come, but if we "Trust in the name of the LORD," that He is Sovereign and Good and that He will "never, no never, no never forsake" us, we will have a steadfast anchor of our soul. Governments and countries will come and go, but Christ stands firm forever! With Heaven our Homeland, and Christ our Security, "we shall never be moved!"
God is in the heaven-and-earth-shaking business: how firm is your foundation?
Suggested Reading:
Hebrews 6:17-20
A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther) and How Firm a Foundation (George Keith): Excellent!
GENERATION Magazine, Vol. 3, Issue 3
Note: we do not necessarily agree with all opinions expressed, but most of it is very good!
posted by Unknown at 9/02/2004 02:56:00 PM
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