"I Know My Faith Is Founded"
Oct. 6, 2019
"I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord; And this my faith confessing, unmoved I stand on His sure Word. Our reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound; Who trusts in human wisdom relies on shifting ground. God's Word is all-sufficient, it makes divinely sure; And trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure."
We never know what might appear in the latest news stories, but it is very likely that the reports will include some sort of conflict—military, political, or personal. We may not even have to look that far; conflicts arise all too easily within our own families, communities, and churches. Apart from the news, new cultural trends arise as popular ideas take root and bring changes to our lives. No matter how hard we try to sort everything out, we feel unprepared and unsettled. It is no wonder that our hymn reminds us, "Who trusts in human wisdom relies on shifting ground."
If we try to build our lives on the shifting ground of human wisdom or ever-changing cultural trends, we will not stand up against the storms and floods of life. In response to an overwhelming storm of guilt, worldly wisdom may suggest, "Don't worry. Everyone else is doing the same thing." In the disasters of personal conflict, human wisdom may advise, "Go ahead, get even. You deserve the satisfaction." In ongoing arguments, our own reasoning may lead us to proclaim our own views angrily and loudly, as we refuse to listen to others. We are more than capable of providing our own shifting ground.
Our hymn speaks of a foundation that is far more secure than anything we can construct. It is the same foundation described by Jesus: "Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25). After hearing various popular ideas concerning His identity, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered with a rock-solid confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:15-16).
In the same confession of faith, we stand unmoved on God's sure Word: the Word that reveals to us what Peter confessed. Jesus is the Christ—the promised Messiah of Israel—and the Son of the living God. It is a confession that human reason "cannot fathom." Even Peter, according to his own wisdom, could not have answered the question, for as Jesus pointed out to him, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17b). Our faith rests secure in the Father's wisdom as revealed to us in His Word. Rains and floods will come, and winds will blow, but a life of faith built on Jesus, the living Word, will not fall.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we confess that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. When we encounter the shifting ground of worldly wisdom, hold us securely in Your Word. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you find it a challenge to keep your eyes on God's Word when there's so much going on in the world around us?
- Can you recall an example when trusting God in His Word saved you from a real blunder?
- Do you take any preventative measures to keep yourself unsaturated by the world?
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "I Know My Faith Is Founded." Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you find it a challenge to keep your eyes on God's Word when there's so much going on in the world around us?
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