Sure Foundation

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

The Bible often uses the example of a house or a building in reference to our lives. To someone who does not understand the concept of a building, although it may be a magnificent structure, and beautiful to behold, what you cannot see makes a huge difference whether or not it can remain for years to come. What is above ground can only remain beautiful and solid if the building’s foundation is built to withstand it’s size and weight, as well as what kind of elements it will be subjected to. The architect that designs a building has to figure all of these things into the plan before the building is build. Though there are many different types of foundations, often they must extend far below the surface of the earth to solid rock. For example, the foundations of the twin towers of the World Trade Center extended seventy feet below the surface to solid bedrock. This amount of concrete and steel was what allowed them to stand without toppling over, despite there being much more building height above the ground than what was underneath. Though I have never visited the sight of the twin towers, I have seen other buildings around the world which have stood for centuries and still retained their beauty. The only way those structures have stood for hundreds of years, is because they were built on a solid foundation.

Like the twin towers so we also must have a spiritual bedrock and a sure foundation. All around us we see the affects of a lack of that in the world we live. Troubles on every hand, unhappiness, unrestrained individuals, and lack of moral values. These are only some of the winds of adversity that threaten our souls. It this kind of world, unless we have a foundation which is anchored in Jesus Christ we run the risk of our building toppling under the intense pressure from without. Isaiah 28:16 KJV Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Just as the constant lapping of the sea against the coastline, or the water washing against the bank of the stream; so, the influence of the world, washing against our hearts and minds, will try erode our core beliefs and values. We need a bedrock, a sure foundation which will not move or erode. Luke 6:46-49 KJV And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

The challenges of life are real, and we all are affected. However, like the above scripture, we are not hopeless if we reach out to Jesus to save us. His promises are true, and He will never alter or change. When He is in our life as our anchor and foundation, we will be able to weather the storms of adversity and change without fear. The earthling looks at the hear and now; whereas the Christian looks up and to the future. 

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 KJV        For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Another example we can use is that of a boat’s anchor. An anchor is designed to keep a boat from drifting. Without an anchor on a vessel, there is no way to secure it in any given place, and to prevent it from drifting. Drifting has no noise or apparent indication of moving unless you are able to compare it with something which is not. When I was a boy, we used an anchor in our old rowboat. When we got to where we wanted to be in the lake, we would drop the anchor overboard, and it would keep us in one place and we did not have to worry about drifting. Besides having an anchor we need to have confidence in our anchor. There would be no sense in having one if we did not have confidence that it would keep us safe. There would also need to be the knowledge of when and how to use it, for at times it could cause more harm than good. Godly wisdom is needed to know when it is proper to cast our anchor of faith and hold still, or when it is the right thing to sail on in faith, trusting in the Lord to guide us.

I also remember numerous trips as a boy to the harbor at Duluth, on Lake Superior. It was so interesting to see those large vessels moored there. If you would get near one which was tied to the dock, you could hear the squeak and groan of the mooring rope, as the ship would rise and fall from the swells. It would pull and strain, the rope stretching, only to once again be drawn back, anchored firmly in place. It’s always fascinating how something so small as a rope, can secure those large vessels, preventing them from drifting away. So, it is with our faith. Though it may not be very big, but if it is connected to our anchor Christ Jesus, it will never fail.

There are some people who may enjoy drifting in life. They drift from one place to another, from job to job, friendship to friendship and seem to make the best of it. However, most people want security. They want a good secure job, solid relationships, and family security. These people have core values, off of which they launch their life. They take responsibility for their lives to maintain those core values for beliefs. They are not interested in drifting to and fro without a plan and purpose. This is not always possible in the real life, the unexpected happens and plans do not always turn out good. The sun doesn’t always shine and sometimes the winds of adversity blow. These things may test their core values, their foundation of life. They may find their mooring lines stretched to the max under the strain. Questions they may have never considered arise; temptations may assault their minds. Job says in Job 5:7 KJV “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” He does not say, “if” troubles come, but that they will come. We cannot escape them in life. This is the reason we need that sure anchor and the solid foundation.

Apostle Paul speaking about his conversion says: Acts 26:19 KJV “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” He realized the choice to believe and obey were up to him. God requires obedience to His Word. For us the foundation has been laid in Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection has set man free from bondage and sin. Salvation is not negotiable, but a term that if we come to believe and accept, will be our anchor and sure foundation. As our above scripture out of 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 says, we must be careful how and what kind of building materials we use. Our spiritual building will be tried by the fire of life, only the truth will stand. We cannot live a life for self and expect to please the Lord. After all He unselfishly gave His life to save us from sin, will He expect any less of us?

John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Isaiah 32:17-18 KJV 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;