For a couple of summers during college I worked for a company which specialized in concrete foundations. I remember one job where we were trying to dig a trench for some footings in very sandy soil. The more that we dug, more the sand would just fill in. Finally had to give up… and bring in someone who could scrape the sandy soil away so that the foundation could be poured on solid ground.

People build their lives upon lots of things…… And what they build can look pretty impressive. The question is whether the foundation will hold up when the storms of life move in. And they will.

A familiar hymn expresses the hope believers have in the midst of the storms of life. Originally entitled “Scripture Promises”, each stanza emphasizes a different promise from God’s Word.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
‘Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, 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 sorrow shall not overflow.
For I will be with thee they troubles to bless,
And sanctify to the thy deepest distress
‘When thro’ fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

‘The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, tho’ all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!’

In the midst of trials in our lives, uncertainty in an increasingly chaotic world, in spite of vast shifts in our culture and even in the church – we have a firm foundation. A foundation laid in God’s “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) to which God will always remain faithful. Trust in Him!

Grace & Peace –
Steve