“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
The Unshakeable Foundation
An earthquake happens without warning. It cracks walls, ceilings and floors. When sudden danger approaches, we are filled with dread and our confidence is shaken. During injury-plagued seasons, cancer diagnoses, trades to other teams, and other times of upheaval, the world seems to crumble all around us.
When King Nebuchadnezzar and his mighty army ripped Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah out of their homes and carried them from Israel to Babylon, surely they felt like an earthquake shattered everything dear to them. The young men were too young to leave home, but the cruel king hoped to reshape their bright minds into useful vessels for the advancement of his empire. The king changed their names to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The youths had new names, a new language and new homes, but they still clung to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
As they worked under several kings with different beliefs, they experienced unfairness and danger, but they took consolation in the firm foundation of their faith in the Almighty. They relied on the precious eternal words taught to them from early days. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…” (Psalm 46:1-2).
Jesus encourages us to build our lives on a solid foundation in order to overcome the challenges of life. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
How’s your foundation?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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