LAYING THE CORNERSTONE
...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:20 (NIV)
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)
Paul points out in Ephesians 2:20 that Jesus Christ is the foundational stone of the Church. Though the apostles and prophets served a foundational role through the teaching of Scripture, Christ is the premier and pivotal Cornerstone undergirding the Church's stability and integrity.
One of the great hymns of our faith is The Solid Rock, also known as My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less. Edward Mote wrote the lyrics in 1834, and William Bradbury added the music in 1864. Since then, the hymn has become a staple in both traditional and modern evangelical worship, and the worship song Cornerstone by Hillsong draws on it. Take a moment to read and reflect on the hymn:
Verse 1: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain: On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
Verse 4: When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found: dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
APPLICATION: Take a moment to ask God to show you an area of your life where He wants you to relinquish control and fully trust Him—instead of leaning on your own methods or sweetest frame. Then name one step of obedience you can take today, and ask Him for the courage to follow through.
PRAYER: God, thank You that You're completely trustworthy and true. Thank You that Christ is the Cornerstone and firm foundation on which I can fully place my trust and build the life You've called me to live in Him. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?