"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm" (2 Timothy 2:19).

Yesterday we went into Boston, one of our favorite cities. It's known as the walking city since many major tourist spots are within walking distance. It's also well known for the Freedom Trail due to the many historical figures and settings learned by history students over the years. We walked a lot yesterday!

I often made pastoral hospital calls in Boston when we lived up that way. Boston is notorious for traffic and parking problems so I normally drove to the Braintree commuter station outside the city and took the Red Line into South Station downtown. Yesterday we came into the city from the west and I had quite a hard time finding my bearings to get us to a Green Line station with parking!  As a result we browsed many beautiful and expansive homes along with the busy cities and traffic as we tried to find our way around.

The entire time we lived in New England Boston was in the midst of a massive public works project popularly known as "The Big Dig".  It has been commonly reported as the largest public works project in human history. Essentially they rerouted the major freeway through the heart of the city underground. It had been an ugly green elevated highway but now you can see the user friendly park scene in our top photo.

South Station was right smack in the middle of the work. I recall when I arrived at the station and departed the train I began to think of all the work going on above and below me as I could feel the vibration and detect the overhead rumblings from scores of jackhammers and heavy machinery.  I had a sense of foreboding as I walked off the train and up into the station at street level!

At that time a skyscraper was being built very near the Big Dig work and only blocks from the waterfront. The foundation went down about 50 feet with massive steel framework but this is nothing compared to the world's deepest skyscraper foundation.  The Petronas Towers has a foundation that is 394 feet deep!  I was intrigued by all the work that goes into a foundation, particularly since much of it would be below sea level and later unobservable. Foundations are not made for eye appeal but are a critically important part of any structure, most of it invisible to onlookers.

I am grateful today for a far more important foundation that the people of faith have in God.  Our daily Scripture portion calls it a "solid foundation".  This foundation stands firm and always will.

The prophet Isaiah twice used the image of a foundation to illustrate the great stability we have in God. He wrote, "He will be the sure foundation for your times" (Isaiah 33:6) and our Lord is "a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" (Isaiah 28:16).

Get a good grip on today's Scripture portion.  The word, "nevertheless" is significant.  Paul had written concerning those who had wandered from the truth and destroyed the faith of some (v. 18). This is still happening today of course and destroyers of the faith abound. One commentator writes, "The conjunction 'nevertheless' is one which expresses strong contrast. Thus the dismal scenery of man's perversion (2 Timothy 2:16-18) is now set in contrast with the majestic reality of God's protection and preservation."

But "God's solid foundation stands firm."  It remains firm and ever will.  Great classic hymns express this truth such as "How Firm a Foundation", "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" and "The Church's One Foundation", all filled with rich doctrinal teaching. These hymns have brought comfort and assurance to believers for generations. Much of the doctrine we learn directly from reading the Bible is often written on the tablets of our hearts indirectly from memorizing hymns that teach in a pleasurable, melodic format.

All of us need to hide this Scriptural assurance deep within our hearts. Hide it deep so that you are not easily swayed when the assailing trials besiege you and shake the foundation of your faith.  Or when skeptics attempt to confuse you or belittle your stand for Christ. We just don't know when other foundations in life will crumble, such as our health, marital bonds, a seemingly secure job position, the loss of a loved one, a troubled relationship, etc. 

Read the daily verse slowly several times and accept its truth deep within your spirit: "God's solid foundation stands firm."  It really does.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, my hope is built on Jesus' blood and righteousness. It is on this solid Rock that I anchor my soul and hold fast until the storms of life are passed. You uphold me by Your Spirit giving me faith that smiles when skies are frowning, faith that is purified by my suffering. Firm and fearless, help me to be as I walk the path designed for me. When thorns at times will pierce me, may my faith be unwavering as I hold to Thee.  Amen.

(Thoughts adapted from hymns, "The Solid Rock" and "Let My Faith Take Hold of Thee")

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Today's Scripture portion in several other versions:

"Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands" (NASV)
"But God’s firm foundation stands" (ESV)
"But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken" (Amplified)
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure" (KJV)

Brooksyne's Note: Today's message is so very important for every believer, especially those young in the faith.  I spoke with a young man who is a newer believer in the Lord.  He was raised in a Christian home with godly parents, but chose to walk in rebellion and got caught up in drugs and all the devastation that goes with it.  I asked him how his Christian walk was going. He grimaced somewhat and then very honestly shared, "Pretty good until something happens."  His girlfriend recently broke up with him which tempted him to go back to the old vices and destructive attitudes.  I reminded him, "If it isn't your girl there will always be something else."  He smiled and said, "That's just what my mom said."

And it's true….that's why the firm foundation of God's Word must be the anchor for our soul; not our spouse, our job, our title or our family name.  I concluded my conversation with the young man by asking what he does when he's tempted to go back to his old ways. Thankfully, he has a couple solid believing friends he met as he was recovering from his sinful lifestyle and he calls on them.  I also reminded him of how blessed he was to have a praying mom.

Whatever you need to do, believing friend, to keep standing on the foundation of God's Word make sure you do it.  As the hymn writer wrote, "His hope, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay." Read the Word, sing the Scripture, pray and be accountable to a godly brother or sister in the Lord.  Never, ever give up!

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