“How Firm a Foundation,” LBW 507 & ELW 796
1 How firm a foundation, O saint of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in Christ Jesus, the Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2 “Fear not, I am with you, oh, 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.”
3 “When through fi’ry trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.”
4 “Throughout all their lifetime my people shall prove
my sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
and then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.”
Devotion
In the afterglow of Christ’s Ascension and Luke’s challenge to all disciples, to “…be my witnesses…” I find encouragement in the strong confidence of this hymn’s author.
Fear not, I am with you, oh, 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.
Do you hear the drum roll, and the bugle’s call to the assembly?
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
And then the “blessed assurance”
And then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.
Prayer
Pray, let it be so, O Lord. Amen.