HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION!

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION!

Luke 6:47-49

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 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.

49 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.

How Firm a Foundation is a Christian hymn, published in 1787 by John Rippon in A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to be an Appendix to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, known as "Rippon's Selection". It is attributed only to "K", which probably refers to Robert Keen(e), precentor (choir and music leader) at Rippon's church, though other names suggested include Richard or John Keene, Kirk­ham, or John Keith. It is most often sung to the tune "Protection" (or "Foundation") by Joseph Funk from A Com­pil­a­tion of Gen­u­ine Church Mu­sic (1832), though the original tune may be Keen(e)'s "Geard". This was the favorite hymn of General Robert E. Lee and has been played at the funerals of several US politicians. (Information from Wikipedia.)

The hymn is born just eleven years after the Declaration of Independence. The ashes of the Revolutionary War still hung in the air and the foundation of the nation was being laid. But much more than the foundation of a nation is in view.

           Your peace is not due to the lack of storms in your life but the firmness of your foundation. Let the winds blow and the storms rage! In the words of the hymn: “That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.” Of the seven verses of this hymn, the following provide me with great encouragement.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

Dear Lord, be very near to your children who are going through fiery trials and deep waters today. AMEN