Editors Note: Elder Wise was editor of “Glad Tidings,” A Primitive Baptist Monthly, for 24 years. This article was the last he penned for the publication.

Any significant structure that is built must have a solid foundation or else the structure will not stand the assaults to which it is subjected. Many people are being deceived today doctrinally, politically, socially, and morally. Paul writes of many that had their faith overthrown their belief in the resurrection, but something was still intact. “Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…” (II Tim. 2:19) In spite of this deception, the foundation of the Lord’s knowledge of His people still stood. He has known them from the ancients of eternity.

Peter acknowledges that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God because it had been revealed unto him by the Father in heaven. Then Jesus told Peter, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) The Rock of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 3:11) “…Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” (Isa. 28:16) Zion is a mountain in Jerusalem which is a figure of the church and Jesus is the chief cornerstone of that church.

We see by the above scriptures that the Lord has a sure foundation undergirding His people and the church. This can never be destroyed. The people of God should build their lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ as the Rock of Ages by hearing the word of God and putting it into practice. The Bible says that when the winds, floods and rain beat on this house it withstood the assault because it was founded upon a rock. Conversely, if the foundation is on sinking sand, the house will fall when assaulted by the same winds, floods, and rain. (Matt. 7:24-27) Have a builder’s mind and build on a sure foundation.

Satan cannot destroy the Lord’s people so they lose their home in heaven. He cannot destroy or prevail against the Lord’s church because it is built on Jesus Christ as the rock. However, He makes every attempt to destroy the lives of God’s people as a roaring lion after its prey. (I Pet. 5:8)

There are certain things that the people of God can do to thwart these efforts of Satan. The scriptures are a perfect thorough furnisher with all the information needed to meet this foe.

Our freedom is being increasingly infringed upon in this nation, and the foundations upon which this nation has been established are in danger of being destroyed. The traditional and Bible family is under attack with various perverted lifestyles while parents are losing the right to educate their children in a morally and biblically accepted manner. The Psalmist poses this question that seems most relevant today. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 18:3) Notice that it is only the righteous that can do anything as the unrighteous are just interested in continuing this gross perversion.

Part of the answer to the question of what the righteous can do when the foundations are about to be destroyed is intimated in the following verse: “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.” (Psalm 11:4) The Lord is still in His holy temple. He still hears the cry of the righteous. When we seem to be overwhelmed by the issues facing today’s people of God, we have a biblical way of responding. “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1-2) That same rock on which the foundation of the church rests.

Jesus as the foundation is the way, the truth and the life. Truth is important to freedom. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) We read of a time in the Bible where truth was at a premium as Isaiah writes, “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” (Is. 59:14) Truth had fallen in the streets and there was no justice or judgment. The prevailing attitude among the elite today is that there is no truth; it is only relevant as each individual perceives it.

Today, we don’t know what to believe. The real truth is being suppressed to fit the perverted attitudes of the unbelieving. Every avenue that disseminates any information has their version of the truth. The Bible has the real truth so stand on the solid rock and adhere to it. Remember the Lord knoweth them that are His and the foundation of the church will never be destroyed. The last weapon to withstand the assaults of Satan is to pray with all supplication in the Spirit. (Eph. 6:18) Also, one of those weapons is loins girded about with truth. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Help us to be strong in the Lord!
 

May the Lord bless Brother Larry's family, friends and all the saints of God everywhere, who were blessed to read his writings “From The Pastor's Desk,” and hear his wonderful gift for preaching God's Holy Word, as it is in our Lord Jesus Christ. And may the “Precious Memories” of these things flood our souls in times to come. Editor