HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
K – (1787)
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For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. – I Corinthians 3:11
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;
for I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
"When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
"E'en down to old age all my people shall prove
my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.
"The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
Hymn Story: How Firm a Foundation
"How Firm a Foundation" first appeared to hymn readers in John Rippon's A Selection of Hymns (1787) which attributed the text to someone simply known as "K –."
Some believe this to be George Keith and some believe this to be Robert Keane. But nobody really knows for sure who "K" is.
Not knowing is not easy! And the ability to search Google for almost anything we don't know and almost immediately know only makes the finality of not knowing something even more difficult for us 21st century Christians.
But in this case, it is especially fitting that we don't know for sure because it reminds us to take comfort in what we do know for sure.
And that sure thing we know is God's Word, both the Person of Jesus Christ and the written words of Scripture.
Current events are revealing the uncertainty of this age more than ever but God's Word is as certain as ever.
Those sensitive to the pain of injustice while also sensitive to the deceptive devices of Satan are facing an incredible opportunity and challenge right now to demonstrate God's love while grounding it in God's truth.
Let's remember to lean on this firm Foundation and know that the rivers of sorrow will not drown us and the flames will not hurt us.
As our anonymous "K" reminds us, God's grace, all-sufficient, will be our supply.
