We sing a song entitled "Foundation". It's #308 in the Tune and Hymn Book. The first line contains two very important concepts. There we read:  How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent word! That foundation that is laid is for the saints of the Lord. The saints are those that were sanctified or set apart by the Father and given to the Son before the world began. These are the same that are experiencing progressive sanctification while they dwell here below being conformed to the image to Christ.  These have a firm foundation indeed. This hymn says that foundation is laid in His excellent word.  That is true. But the firmness of that foundation was solid as a rock before God delivered unto man His excellent word. The firmness of that foundation is in the fact that the immutable God of all creation, the Alpha and the Omega sanctified the elect. How do we know that fact? It's recorded in the word of God the Holy Scriptures.

Before men had the Scriptures, the oracles of God, there were some that were God's. While our Lord dwelt among us He spoke these words. He said "I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given me are of Thee." If the Father gave His Son these, then the foundation lies in the Father's immutable promise, the word of the Holy God that cannot lie.

That firm foundation is also a sure foundation. I wouldn't have much confidence in building on what seemed to be a firm foundation unless it was made sure. I would want that foundation to be a stone, a tried stone. One would desire a stone that will not crumble like sandstone, of splinter like shale. The hardest stone in this world is a diamond. But a diamond foundation would be too precious! The building would cost too much. But the Scriptures say that the Lord God said behold, God himself laid in Zion for a foundation a stone. That stone must be a perfect stone because whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever. It must be a precious stone, more precious than a diamond. I have been taught that one can produce a replica of a diamond by subjecting carbon to extreme heat and pressure. I believe God's Precious Stone took more heat and pressure than anything that has ever been in this world while He bled and died for the sins of His people.

Our Lord that precious and sure foundation is laid in Zion so says God's excellent word.  Zion is that which God loves in this world. The Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation.  This is His rest forever: here will He dwell, for He hath desired it. He hath chosen the elect. The elect are those whom God loves in the world. God manifests Himself in them. He abides in those that are born again of His Spirit. They shall enjoy His rest in immortal glory after this life is through and time is no more. But those that walk in obedience shall also enjoy His rest in His kingdom, His Church in this world. God is so gracious! 9/15/2004 M. Hoogasian