Last year six people died and many more were injured after a massive sinkhole swallowed up a bus picking up passengers in northwest China.
Sinkholes typically form when acidic rainwater dissolves limestone or similar rock beneath the soil, leaving a large void that collapses when it's no longer able to support the weight of what's above. The most dangerous type of sinkhole is a cover-collapse sinkhole. The cavern is covered by a layer of clay, so that it appears as solid ground, when in fact it is not.
It’s been said that the best way to survive a sinkhole is not to fall into one. You want to be sure that you’re standing on solid ground.
This is especially true when our eternal destiny is at stake. Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount by declaring,
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matt. 7:24-27)
Thankfully, the Word of God is the all-sufficient foundation for our faith. That’s a truth worth singing!
So thought John Rippon, who was the pastor of Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London for 63 years (beginning in 1775 at age twenty). He put together a collection of hymns that was published in 1787. This hymnal was so popular, it went through eleven British editions during Rippon’s lifetime. An American edition appeared in 1820.
The now-famous hymn, “How Firm a Foundation,” first appeared here. No one knows its author, for the line reserved for the author’s name simply bore the letter “K.” Most likely the hymn was composed by John Rippon’s Minister of Music, Robert Keene.
The enduring beauty and power of this hymn is due to its being based on precious biblical promises. The first stanza establishes the theme of the hymn: God’s Word is the all-sufficient foundation for our faith. The remaining stanzas allude to various promises in Scripture, such as:
Isaiah 41:10 - “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 43:2 - “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 - “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness….”
Hebrews 13:5 - “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
No wonder this hymn was initially published under the title, “Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises” (see 2 Peter 1:3-4)!
Why not take a moment to sing this hymn from the heart, as an act of worship to our all-sufficient, faithful God? Below the lyrics is a video (with lyrics provided) of this hymn being sung by the congregation of Grace Community Church (John MacArthur, pastor-teacher). Enjoy!
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 for refuge
To Jesus have fled?
“Fear not; I am with thee,
O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God,
I will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee,
And cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous,
Omnipotent hand.”
“When through fiery trials
Thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient,
Shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee;
I only design
Thy dross to consume
And thy gold to refine.”
“The soul that on Jesus
Hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not
Desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell
Should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never,
No never forsake.”