The Foundation

Daily Reading: Hebrews 1

Scripture Focus: You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain. (Hebrews 1.10-11a)

Devotional Thought: I fancy myself a builder. I have been a part of five building projects in churches where I have pastored and two as a layman. I also have been involved in the building of four houses. On the first two houses, the ones I served as the general contractor, I remember laying the foundation for each one - not an easy task. In order for a structure to stand, it has to have a good foundation. But, no matter how good the foundation, no building will last forever.

When the Lord "laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning," he knew that was true. Neither the earth nor the heavens - both with foundations laid by God himself - will last forever. It may be billions of years hence, but they are destined to perish.

What will last? When all of the created order dissolves, what will remain? "You, Lord," the writer of Hebrews said. And, the only way for me to live forever is to be in relationship with the Eternal One. Those fellowship halls, church buildings, and houses will not give me immortality. Only God will do that, for only he lives forever. Later in the book of Hebrews, we read that Abraham was looking forward to a city with eternal foundations. By faith he recognized that this world was not his final home. He built his life on God.

Each of my daughters caught the building bug from their dad and are living in homes in which they were involved in the building process. I'm pleased with their understanding of and involvement in their home-building projects. But I am even more pleased that they are building their lives on the Lord Jesus Christ. I urge you to do the same!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are the Rock upon which we can confidently build our lives. You are a foundation that will never perish. Help us, O Lord, to trust in you and commit to you completely. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit. (Psalms 49:1-9)