How Firm A Foundation ~ hymn

One thing everyone know about a building is that it must have a strong, steady, firm foundation. Without a firm foundation, the building will not withstand the test of time. That test may come through just the weathering of the elements or it might come from a single mighty hit that it takes. No matter how it comes, without a firm foundation, the building has no change of withstanding the hit.

The same is true of you and me, my friend. My foundation must be firm. Without a foundation that is firmly rooted in the God of the Universe, I don’t have a chance of withstanding the weathering that will occur throughout daily life, let alone the big hits that will come at some time.

This hymn discusses where a firm foundation in God comes from. The first stanza tells us that a firm foundation is laid for my faith (MY faith, y’all – it is put there for me specifically) in the excellent Word of God. Take a second and think about that. God’s Word was given to provide for your faith and mine. It is not an accident. It is not a simple book of stories. It is a rooting for me, a firm foundation, and it is from God! He Put It There For Me!

The second stanza is God speaking to me and you. He is telling us to not be afraid, he is with us. God provides for His people and in the Bible, we read about that over and over. We see the omnipotent hand of God through his many mighty works and through the everyday peace that comes into the lives of those in Him.

The third stanza is another reminder that God is ever watching, ever caring, ever protecting. He does not forsake us. Do we forsake Him? Do we walk away at times? Or maybe not even that intentional but just not think about Him for a while?

This reminds me so much of the works the girls have been doing in their Lads to Leaders activities and events. They are working on themes from Exodus and this is exactly what it is about. Lads to Leaders is designed to help students have a firm foundation in Christ and the word of God while becoming the leaders of His church on this earth. Exodus reminds us over and over of the fact that God is always there, even when we are not choosing to see or hear Him. He leads us when we allow Him to. His protection is evident when we look for it.

This is a lovely hymn that is just packed full of reminders of who God is and what He provides for us.

You can listen to this hymn being sung at Great Songs Chapel.
It is also available on In Search of the Lord’s Way. This link should take you to the H listings and you just click on the play arrow to the left of the title How Firm a Foundation.

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

How Firm A Foundation

lyrics: Rippon Selection of Hymns (1787)
music: Funks Genuine Church Music (1832)

1 – 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 has said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

2 – “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.”

3 – “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.”

Tagged: hymn