In the Middle *

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
Isaiah 28:16 NLT

What comes to your mind when you think about the middle layer? An Oreo cookie? Peanut butter cracker? Strawberry shortcake? (hmmmm... I must be hungry this morning...) When it comes to food - the middle layer is usually the good stuff. The makers of Oreos have built an entire ad campaign around it. That's all well and good in the food business, but it won't carry any weight in the building industry.

In order to build to last, to withstand the test of time, there must be a strong foundation. What is a sure foundation? One that can carry the weight of whatever the plan is to build on it. If it's off, even just a little, it is magnified in the end. The best example of that is known worldwide - the Piazza dei Miracoli, better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Obviously, there were some great marketing people back then, too. I'm sure they didn't plan to call it the Leaning Tower of Pisa... but it did not have a sure foundation.

As Christians, we love the verse that is our text today. We know Christ is the solid rock. He is our firm foundation. King James calls Him a tried stone. One that is proven. We do know that He is safe to build on.

However, did you know, this particular verse is the middle layer? It's the good stuff. The verse before it reads, You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” And the one after it reads, "I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away."

It's rather like the Leaning Tower of Pisa...You may think it's lasted a long time. They have built an entire tourist industry around it. Those are the facts. But the Truth is, at some point, it will come down. When we take our mistakes and cover them up with a grand marketing scheme, the Truth is, we're only deluding ourselves. We must build our lives on a solid foundation or at some point, it will all come crumbling down around us.

When we are measured with the measuring line of God's justice and the plumb line of His righteousness, we'd better be standing on that verse in the middle - Jesus Christ is our only sure foundation.

Prayer:

Father,
         I love how You cause us to think outside the box. Keep us sharp, Lord. Keep us ever looking toward You, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Even in that, we are in the middle of You as our Beginning and our End. Our Alpha and Omega. Our sure foundation. Keep us inside Your lines of justice and righteousness, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen