How Firm A Foundation, ELW 796
1 How firm a foundation, O saints 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 fiery trials your pathways 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 sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.
Devotion
One theme that has been woven through this week’s texts is persistence. Jacob, the psalmist, Paul, Jeremiah, and the pesky plaintiff of Jesus’ parable, each in his or her own way, insist that God is one who will in some way or another bring a blessing. Indeed, the story of faith is one in which God continually and persistently seeks to bless those whom God has loved and will love for eternity. As my favorite children’s Bible puts it, God loves us with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
The hymn writer picks up on that theme of persistence and calls it a foundation of our faith. Be we young or old, strong or weak, in comfort or distress; God’s persistent love will forever be the bedrock on which our trust stands. I am comforted knowing that, although my resolution is not always as strong as Jacob’s or that blessed woman of Jesus’ parable, still God will not let me go until I have been blessed.
Prayer
Lord, strengthen us, help us, and cause us to stand, upheld by your righteous omnipotent hand. Amen.