Tend To The Foundations

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:3 AV)

Foundations.  Often overlooked, but the most necessary part of any structure or living being.  Whether it is a building with a stone foundation, or the human body built upon a skeletal structure, everything in existence needs a foundation.  This is so critical that if the foundations are compromised, the entire structure fails.  The adversary knows this.  He knows that if he can destroy any faith in an absolute, then faith as a whole, fails.  This is why biblical inerrancy is so important.  In today’s seminaries, they question that very thing.  Carnal thinking has invaded our schools and our pulpits.  Even those ministries that boast of creation apologetics will not take a stand on biblical inerrancy by committing to a single perfect translation is any language available today.  It is counter-productive to defend the word of God as reliable and accurate if we cannot point to where it is in perfect form.  However, let us consider an application a bit closer to home.  When we go through hard times, the foundations that we have and refuse to compromise are the foundations that keep our faith strong.  There should be a theological line in the sand that no matter how puzzling, frustrating, or trying our lives might be, that line holds fast.

God’s nature comes to mind.  Not just His physical attributes.  Not merely that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, eternal, and transcendent.  These are rarely questioned.  His moral attributes are equally sure.  God is merciful.  God is gracious.  God loves us with an everlasting love.  God is a reasonable God who thinks and plans eternally.  He knows all things possible and actual.  Time does not matter to Him.  He exists both in time and out of time.  Our God is the foundation upon all things are built.  Our faith in that foundation is the only hope we have.  Take that away, and what can the righteous do?

I have had the pleasure of helping young men into the ministry.  My role was more of a support role and not a main influence.  One piece of advice for any graduating preacher is to know his theology.  Whether he earns a seminary degree or is self-taught, theology is where most people fail.  Four decades of service to the King, and I can tell you that if a saint comes to you seeking comfort or counsel, most of the time there is a disconnect in their theology.  The foundation is not finished.  Or they have not maintained the foundation they have.  When hardship comes, it is the foundation of God’s love and providence upon which we lean.  When the challenge of direction in life shows, it is the foundation of God’s omniscience that gleams the brightest.  When we feel abandoned and alone, it is the foundation of God’s omnipresence which comforts us.  When doubt and fear gripe the soul, it is God’s omnipotence that strengthens us.  If sin becomes overwhelming, the foundation of God’s parental love, mercy, and mentoring that meets the need.  The foundation is ours to keep.  The foundation is ours to maintain and guard.  If the foundation is destroyed, then our hope is lost.  Guard them.  Tell the adversary that even if they march an ‘alien’ down main street, Jehovah God is still God and mankind is still His love!