In the Middle of It All

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? Strawberry shortcake? (hmmmm... I must be hungry...) The middle layer - at least when it comes to food - 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 called a sure foundation. One that can carry the weight of whatever the plan is to build. If it's off, even just a little, it is magnified in the end. There is one that is known worldwide - 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... It was not 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. It's one that is proven. We do know that He is safe to build on. But this 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...we take our mistakes and cover them up with a grand marketing scheme. Just like in food prep, it's all in the presentation. And the Truth is, we're only deluding ourselves. When we are measured with the justice of God Almighty and the plumb line of His righteousness, we'd better be standing on that verse in the middle - He 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, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen