Tuesday, July 30, 2024
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
No comments:
Post a Comment