How Firm A Foundation

I love the hymn “How Firm A Foundation”. Personally I think it would sound best if the first verse was sung really slow and then it progressively speeds up each verse. Most likely it gets louder every verse too. Imagine shouting “I’LL NEVER, NO NEVER, NO NEVER FORSAKE” as the pianist slams down on the keys to keep up!

This hymn has come to mind plenty of times for me recently. Our firm foundation is what has steadied me while we walk through the trial of our unborn son’s heart defect. My Bible Study leader reminded us recently that, just like Joseph in Egypt, we are given good years to store up goodness and lean years to rely on the storehouses. As the future looks lean, I have already opened the storehouses of my heart and found them full of good things. Our foundation includes every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3), every request granted by the Father (John 16:23-24), and the assurance that all things work together for the good of those who love God (Rom 8:2:8). On top of this, God commands me not to be anxious! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcendes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.

These are probably familiar verses for you, too. They always gave me comfort, but when the floor was suddenly taken out from under me, they were there for me to grasp. We did not expect our baby to have any complications since Murray and I are both young and healthy. For the entire first half of our pregnancy, everything was going according to plan. We were shocked to hear that our baby’s heart had not formed correctly, and more so as we gradually learned how severe his defect really is. It is scary to listen to the knowledgeable doctors give us low statistics and intense surgery plans. Yet these verses don't change; they deepen. I land on the foundation lying under the false security I built for myself, and it is strong.

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” Isaiah 7:9b. If you see us standing, it is by faith. Not faith that proves our strength, but faith given to us through the Holy Spirit. Faith in our God who is soveriegn and trustworthy in all things, and is working this situation for our good. Faith that this is not a punishment, nor something God wasn't able to prevent. Faith that says “I don't have to understand in order to trust You”. That is not something we could say on our own, it is something we say by the Spirit. The Sprirt who gives us strength to sing:

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.