2ti 02v19 The Foundation of God Standeth Sure
Paul was about to leave the
field of battle and enter into eternal glory, where a crown of righteousness
and life awaited him. He had seen and experienced many things which caused him
grief and concern. False prophets and false brethren seemed to abound on every
side. Heresy was being commonly received as the truth of God. The faith of some
professed believers had been overthrown. But as the apostle was about to leave
the care of the churches in Timothy's hands, he found a source of comfort and
encouragement for his soul - "THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH
SURE!"
Nothing is more comforting to the hearts of God's servants and his people than the fact that the ark of God is safe, the work of God is secure. Though the earth be removed, though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, we will not fear -" The foundation of God standeth sure!"
THE FOUNDATION OF GOD'S
ETERNAL PURPOSE STANDS SURE. God's purpose and decree will be carried out
exactly as he intends. We may be defeated, but he cannot be. God's design in
the creation, in redemption, and in providence shall be perfectly accomplished.
Everything in God's vast universe will glorify the eternal Triune God! (Isa.
46:9-10; Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Isa. 45:23-25; Rom.
THE FOUNDATION OF GOD'S EVERLASTING COVENANT STANDS SURE. "The mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Blessed be God, the covenant of his grace is ordered in all things and sure!
THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOSPEL STANDS SURE. "The Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." For two thousand years the Word of God has withstood all the attacks of infidels, both secular and religious. Though the mockers come and go, the Word of God is not changed. It has passed through many fires, but it is unaltered. The truths of this blessed Book are unchanged and unchangeable. Jesus Christ is God. He actually redeemed a people by his substitutionary sacrifice. Christ is the only hope of salvation for perishing sinners. There is power in his blood to wash away sin. He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come to God by him. This world is under the sovereign dominion of King Jesus. And one of these days, he is coming again in power and great glory. And
THE FOUNDATION OF GOD'S
PROMISE STANDS SURE. The Lord our God will graciously perform the word of
his promise to us. We have tried them and proved them; and not one of them is
broken. The Lord will do what he has promised. "God cannot lie." He
will be true to his word (Isa. 43:1-7).
We know that the foundation of God is sure, because it has this seal engraved upon it - "THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS." Spurgeon said, "Those that are his he always has known to be his, for they were his from before the foundation of the world. They are his known ones when he deals with them in grace, and comes into their hearts by his powerful operations. He watches over them by a special providence, knowing the way that they take, and never losing sight of them."
THE LORD KNOWS HIS PEOPLE BY A DISCRIMINATING LOVE. God
knows his own in a way that he does not know the rest of mankind. He chose them
and distinguished them as the objects of his special love before the world
began. Knowledge here, as in many other places, is put for love. In this sense
it is represented as the seal of the covenant. Love is stamped upon every part
of the covenant. Every blessing of grace flows to believing sinners from the
great fountain of love in the heart of God for his own.
THE LORD KNOWS HIS PEOPLE BY INTIMATE COMMUNION. He makes himself known to them, and they make themselves known to him. He speaks, and they listen. They speak, and he listens. The Lord reveals himself and makes himself known to his own in a way the world cannot perceive.
Certainly Paul's implication is this -THE LORD'S
SPECIAL, LOVING KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PEOPLE WILL PRESERVE THEM. The Lord
knows who they are, where they are what they need, how to preserve them, how to
save them, and how to bring them safe to heaven. God preserves those whom he
knows until the day of his grace. Once he bestows his saving grace upon them,
the Lord preserves his own in faith and life amid all their trials,
temptations, and corruptions. No believer, left to himself,
would be steadfast in faith. Were it left to us, we would all very soon forfeit
our interests in the covenant of grace. We are frail, fickle, and full of sin.
Our daily transgressions would exclude us from the promises of God in the
covenant. But GOD'S LOVE NEVER CHANGES! He has betrothed us unto him in
faithfulness forever. He loves us, and keeps us for his own name's sake. This
is the security of God's elect - "THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE,
HAVING THIS SEAL, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS!"
How firm a foundation, ye
saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His
excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who to Jesus for refuge
have fled?