Solid Ground ~ Part 3

Photo by Liz Marr

Our hope is based on solid ground whether talking about life, faith, or politics. Storms will come in all areas of life, but what's founded on rock holds. Remember the example in Part 1 where a foolish man's house built on sand cannot withstand the tiniest wave, like my childhood sand castles? But the wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation stands much greater rate of survival.

Over the years, many churches have weakened their message in hopes of bringing in greater numbers, diverse age groups, or a trendier crowd. The very people searching for a firm foundation cannot find it. They may become believers, but they're not grounded in Biblical teaching. So how can they grow strong and stand when trials hit? Bible doctrines, God's principles for living, are essential for us to grow and stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this have to do with politics? Same principle holds true. About 100 years ago in our nation's history, men who ruled strayed from our founding father's intent, putting into play a whole new philosophy to weaken our republic. Although we've had a few presidents since who've tried to rescue us and place us back on freedom's trail, the ones who've undone have succeeded in weakening our nation. None has done so as drastically as our present leader.

Our founding fathers birthed us a country with a strong Constitution. These men didn't haphazardly throw together what they like for convenience or self-aggrandizement. Quite the opposite, despite what modern-day textbooks may tell us. They sacrificed much ~ they and their families, knowing full well it might cost them the ultimate price. And the key? They based their beliefs on God, Lord and Creator of the very ground on which they stood.

To uproot a nation built on such principles and plant it on sandy soil of feel-goodism, lies, and anti-God rhetoric is to doom what blood bought and paid for ~ not only military blood but Jesus' as well. For our founding fathers reverenced the Almighty and understood the importance of centering our government on Him.

The farther a people stray from our Solid Rock, the closer they come to destruction ~ whether we're speaking of their personal lives, their faith, or their political choices for governing us all. Now more than ever it's essential we understand our future lies in the balance. Will we chose solid foundation or crumbling sand? This individual choice will affect us all, come election day. May we look to the Lord for His discernment in every decision.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand...all other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward Mote ~ 1836)

Solid Ground ~ Part 1 of 3

Photo by Marion Tripp

When I was a child, my family traveled crowded Jersey highways to the shore. I tip-toed across the beach, hoping to avoid shells and what-nots from hurting my tender soles. Then I reached the ocean's damp edge and took baby steps toward the Atlantic.

Others about me charged in, splashing cold salt water on this chicken. I jumped back and then inched forward until I stood waist-high in water ~ at which point a wave would undoubtedly knocked me down. Initiation completed.

The relationship between me and the ocean was a daunting one. I entered this wet world with fear, recalling a couple times when I'd gone too deep for my non-swimming body, only to fight for air until waves carried me ashore.

Most of my beach time I parked securely not too distant from the tide line, shoveling damp sand to form moats about molded walls and towers. My imagination soared, like the seagulls overhead!

As the hours passed and sun burned, the tide made its way to my real estate and within minutes washed it away. I knew it would. I hated to see it go. So it was, building on sand. And, yes, it always reminded me of the Sunday school song about the foolish man building upon sand and the wise man establishing his house on the rock.

Until I reached the know-it-all teen years, I thought this song was about nothing more than a stupid man vs. a much smarter one. Of course the third verse held a big clue ~ So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. But I didn't realize this went beyond "Lord Jesus, come into my life."

Then I went to Christian college and heard the word doctrine for the first time. I'd been brought up in a Christian home and church, where parents and teachers taught us Bible stories and verses, missions, and importance of prayer. Yet somehow this single-minded girl didn't grasp the whole "doctrine thing."

Much later in life I realized how all the pieces fit together and that my Christian life isn't just about salvation. These doctrines were the foundation stones God laid so my life gripped the Solid Rock, Jesus, when waves of trouble struck me.

I now see the importance of firm grounding in every aspect of life. Without these, we cannot stand as a people or a nation...