Foundation Building

The first and foremost part at the beginning of any building project, after having received the blueprints, is the layout and installation of the foundation. The site conditions must be checked to determine the type of construction needed. This is usually done with a ‘soil test.’ Regardless of the efforts put into the construction of the foundation, the integrity of the foundation will be adversely affected by improper soil conditions. The scriptures reveal a type of soil test in the book of Hosea.

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; breakup your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men. (NKJ) Hosea 10:12-13.

There is no way to build a foundation without some ‘ground breaking’ taking place. We break ground by coming before God, humbly, with a ‘broken and contrite’ spirit, and submit to Him for instruction. Instruction in the word of God provides the protection we need to insure a proper foundation. We can build on this foundation for the rest of our lives.

Chastening is not merely punishment for the wrong we have done. It is instruction in righteousness in order to bring us into conformity to the nature of Christ. The very act of chastening convinces us that our heavenly father has taken a keen interest in us. It is during these times that He is actually more involved in our lives. This is in direct contrast to our feelings of abandonment as we question where God might be. Chastening is our assurance of God’s love; protection; grace; involvement and keeping power in our daily life. A parents "No" is more often the result of care, concern and protection than punishment.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJ) 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

As we are keenly aware of in Mississippi, the foundation is no better than the soil beneath it. The word of God will "thoroughly equip" us to get the dirt right in our hearts in order for the foundation work to begin.

Once the soil condition has been determined and it is understood what will be required to start the project; the tools, equipment and manpower needed to prepare the site and build the foundation are mobilized.

This part of the blueprint is the ‘foundation plan’. Hebrews 6:1-2 reveals such a plan. Often times believers are so anxious to go to the ‘deep things’ of God that they fail to give proper attention to the basic essential’s that are needed to build their lives upon. Not until the foundation work is properly laid is it safe to proceed with the rest of the building.

Many have gone ahead and built on incomplete foundations and for a while maintained the appearance that all was well. However, with time, evidence of foundation failure will manifest itself through the deterioration of the finishes in the structure. Sadly, many will spend all their time and effort cosmetically repairing the finishes rather than correcting the foundation. It is with this in mind that we look to the word of God for the ‘principles’ of a good foundation. With these ‘principles’ in hand, may God release us to execute a plan of building up or ‘developing’ the family of God.

Randall Mooney

Comments

Popular Posts