One of my favorite hymns is “How Firm A Foundation.” This hymn is all about how God’s word – his promises from Genesis to Revelation that all find their “Yes” in Jesus, the Word of God – is our foundation in times of trouble. It came to mind as our communities face the Shelly fire. The hymn begins with reminding us, the “saints of the Lord,” that our faith is not based on the words or promises of men, on the circumstances around us, or on our own personal experiences -those elusive and often indecipherable realities. Looking out around us, or inside our own minds and hearts, can leave us with no answers or assurances. But there is a foundation that is clear and accessible – what God promises us in his word. If all else fails, we “just” have the living, active, eternal, truthful word of promise from God – and what more can he say than he has already said to us? The hymn then goes on to remind us of many of these promises in scripture, here are a few of the verses quoted if you’d like to look up the sources: Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 43:2, 2 Corinthians 12:9.
When things fall apart, his word – his promises – do not.
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 near thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. “When through 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 its foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”Here are links to a few of my favorite renditions of the Hymn that can be found on streaming music apps as well:
How Firm A Foundation – Providence
How Firm A Foundation – Ordinary Time
How Firm A Foundation – Poor Bishop Hooper
