A Strong Foundation by John M. Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 24, 1906

A Strong Foundation

By John M. Hopkins

JOHN M. HOPKINS

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Ps. 11:3.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.” 2 Tim. 2:19.

The church of Christ is spoken of in the Scripture as a temple, or a spiritual house. Now the question arises, Upon what foundation does this temple rest? Is the foundation strong and secure?

In the first place, the foundation of all is the character of God. He is the fountain, the source, the life, of all things. He is the perfection of truth, the perfection of holiness, the perfection of wisdom, of love, of power, and of strength. Not only is he the source of all these perfect qualities, but he is all this inherently; and not only for to-day, but from eternity to eternity. This is God. And David declares, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Ps. 90:2.

This is God in character; this is God in eternity. This is the strong foundation. He is the foundation, and the whole Christian church rests upon this foundation. It rests upon infinite wisdom, upon infinite strength, upon infinite truth, upon infinite love, upon infinite justice; it rests upon the eternity of God.

And all this blessedness was manifested to the world in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of man. Of him the prophet Isaiah declares: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation.” Isa. 28:16. Of him Paul says: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.” Eph. 2:20. Of the Son it is said: “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” Again: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

And next follows the blessed assurance: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Col. 1:19; 2:9, 10.

Here, then, beloved in the Lord, is the Christian’s strong foundation. It is in Christ, the living expression of the eternal God among men. And all this was expressed by Christ in his teaching, in his knowledge and understanding of the very thoughts and motives of men, in the mighty miracles he wrought, in the acts of love and mercy he performed for the suffering, in his godlike fortitude under temptation and trial, in the judgment-hall, upon Calvary, in his triumphant death and resurrection, and in his glorious ascension.

And now, beloved, as God is true, as Christ is true, as Christ for us met and vanquished the foe in every assault he made upon him,—as Satan could not overthrow this strong foundation then, no more can he now.

Wherever you are, my brother, my sister, you stand upon this strong foundation, so that you may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:6. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Ps. 46:1-3.

As sin increases, as the controlling Spirit of God is withdrawn from the earth, just so rapidly will these destructive agencies now working in the earth increase in frequency and power. And as spiritual wickedness increases, the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from the hearts of men, and they, with their leader, Satan, will make the way of the righteous more and more difficult.

We have already quoted a part of Isa. 28:16. The remaining part of the text reads: “He that believeth shall not make haste.” Verse 17 reads: “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.”

The “winds” of false doctrines and political strife are indeed blowing, and will blow more furiously. Those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” in these closing hours of probation are the special objects of Satan’s hatred and destructive power. Deception in every form must be met and resisted. But the Lord’s people can meet it only with the truth, in the name, and strength, and wisdom of God. And here is the sure, the strong foundation. Let us, in our closets upon our bended knees, study the Word of our God. Let us make sure that our house is built upon the rock Christ Jesus, always knowing, always rejoicing, in the blessed assurance that “the foundation of God standeth sure.”

Villard, Minn.