Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation

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(Editor's note: This sermon starts a bit slow, as Davies explains the context; but do not despair, as it is one of the most insightful and powerful sermons that we have read.)</em>

"Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold! I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he who believes shall not make haste. Judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place!" Isaiah 28:16-17

The context, like many other passages of the prophetic scriptures, seems to have a double sense. The primary sense may be thus represented. The judgements of God were ready to break in upon and overwhelm the impenitent nation of the Jews, like "a tempest of hail, and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing," and bearing all before it. (verse 2.) The prophet had repeatedly given them timely warning of these approaching judgements; but they still continued secure and impenitent, and unapprehensive of danger. They flattered themselves they had skill enough to keep themselves safe. They thought themselves to be impregnably entrenched and fortified in their riches, their strongholds, and the sanctity of their temple and nation. They might also think their arts of negotiation would secure them from the invasion of the neighbouring powers, particularly the Assyrians, to whom they were not exposed.

These were the lies which they made their refuge, and the falsehood under which they hid themselves. These, they imagined, like motes or ditches, would keep off the deluge of wrath, so that it would not come to them, much less overwhelm them; and they were as secure as if they had made "a covenant with death, and entered into an agreement with hell, or the grave," not to hurt them.

Therefore the prophet represents them as saying, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement: when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come to us; for we have made lies (that is what the prophet calls lies,) our refuge;" and under what he calls falsehoods have we hid ourselves. (verse 15.)

It is in this connection my text is introduced; and it points out a solid ground of hope, in opposition to the refuge of lies in which these sinners trusted; as if he had said, since the refuge to which you flee is not safe, and since my people need another, "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested and precious cornerstone that is safe to build on!" That is, "My promises, my providential care, the supporting influences of my grace, and the various means I shall take for the comfort and safety of my people in this national distress, shall as effectually bear them up, as a firm foundation of stone does a building erected upon it. Those who build their hopes upon this foundation, shall stand unshaken amidst all the storms and tempests of the national calamity, that may beat upon our guilty land."

"He who believes shall not make haste;" that is, "he who trusts in this refuge shall not be struck into a distracted hurry and consternation upon the sudden appearance of these calamities. He shall not, like persons surprised with unexpected danger, fly in a wild haste to improper means for his safety, and thus throw himself into destruction by his ill-advised, precipitate attempts to keep out of it; but he shall be calm and serene, and have presence of mind to take the most proper measures for his deliverance."

Or the meaning may be, "He who believes shall not make such haste to be delivered; as to fly to unlawful means for that purpose; but will patiently wait God's time to deliver him in a lawful way."

The prophet proceeds, "Judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet;" that is, "God will try the Jews with strict justice, as an architect examines a building with a line and plummet. Such of them who have built their hopes upon the foundation above described, shall stand firm and unshaken, whatever tempests fall upon them, like a regular and stately building, founded upon a solid rock. But as to others, they shall be overwhelmed in the public calamity! the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies in which they trusted; and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place."

And then your covenant with death shall be dis annulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand: "when the overflowing scourge shall pass through then shall you be trodden down by it." (verse 18.)

This seems to be a primary sense of the context; and thus, it is probable, the Jews understood it, who did not enjoy that additional light which the gospel sheds upon it.

In this view it is very applicable to us, in the present state of our country and nation, when the enemy is likely to break in like a flood upon us. But I must add, that it is very likely, that even in this primary sense of the context, the text refers to Jesus Christ. There seems to be an unnatural force put upon the words, when they are applied to any other and the connection will admit of their application to him, even in this sense, thus, "Since the refuge of sinners is a refuge of lies, behold I will provide one that will effectually secure all who fly to it from all the judgements to which they are exposed." I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, &c. "I send my Son into the world, as an Almighty Saviour; and all who put themselves under his protection, and build their hopes upon him, shall be so safe, that all the calamities of life shall not do them a lasting injury; and the vengeance of the eternal world shall never fall upon them."

But whether we can find Christ in the primary sense of these words or not, it is certain we shall find him in their ultimate, principal sense. And we have the authority of an inspired apostle for this application. Peter quotes this passage, with some improvements, and applies it expressly to Christ, "To whom coming," says he, "as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, you also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house. Wherefore, also, it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious; and he who believes on him shall not be confounded." 1 Peter 2:4, 6.

Taking the passage in this evangelical sense, the general meaning is to this purpose: The Lord Jesus is represented as a tried, precious, and sure foundation, laid in Zion, that is, in the church, for the sons of men to build their hopes upon. His church thus built on him, is compared to a stately, firm, and impregnable temple, consecrated to the service of God, to offer up spiritual sacrifices; and armored against all the storms and tempests that may beat upon it. It shall stand firm and immovable through all eternity, for its foundation is sure.

But, alas! though Jesus Christ be the only foundation, yet most people are so full of themselves, that they venture to build their hopes upon something else, and promise themselves safety—though they reject this sure foundation! They think themselves as secure as if they had entered into a treaty with death and the grave, and brought them over to their interest.

But, lo! the wrath of God will at last beat upon a guilty world, like a storm of hail, or break in upon it like an overwhelming torrent; then every soul that is not built upon this rock must be swept away, and all the other refuges and hiding-places shall be laid in ruins forever!

The great God will also strictly inquire who is founded upon this rock, and who not. He will critically try the temple of his church, like a workman, with line and plummet; he will discover all irregularities and useless appendages. And in consequence of this examination, the storms and torrents of divine indignation shall sweep away and overwhelm all who are not built upon this foundation, and who are not compacted into this building. These remarks contain the general meaning of our text, but it is necessary I should be more particular.

Brethren, our nature, our circumstances, and the important prospects before us, are such, that it is high time for us to look about us for some sure foundation upon which to build our happiness. The fabric must endure long, for our souls will exist forever; and their eagerness for happiness will continue vehement forever. The fabric must rise high, for the capacities of our souls will perpetually expand and enlarge. The fabric must be strong and impregnable, armoured against all the storms that may beat upon it; for many are the storms that will rise upon us, upon our country, and upon this guilty world in general. Losses, bereavements, sicknesses, and a thousand calamities that I cannot name—may yet try us. The enemy is now breaking in like a flood upon our country, and we and our earthly all—are in danger of being overwhelmed. Death will certainly attack us all; and that must be a strong building indeed which the king of terrors will not be able to demolish.

Besides, when all the purposes of divine love in our world shall be accomplished, an almighty tempest of divine indignation shall break upon it, and sweep away all that it contains; and blend cities, kingdoms, plains and mountains, seas and dry land, kings and beggars—into one vast heap of ruin. Or, to shift the metaphor according to the emphatic variety in my text, the fiery deluge of divine vengeance, which has been gathering and swelling for thousands of years, but has been, as it were, restrained and kept within bounds by divine patience—shall then rise so high as to burst through all restraints, and overwhelm the guilty globe, and turn it into an universal ocean of liquid fire! This resist-less torrent shall sweep away all the refuges of lies, and those who trusted in them, into the gulf of remediless destruction. "The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men! The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; theelements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up!" 2 Peter 3:7, 10

Well my friends, where shall we find a support to bear us up in this tremendous day? Where shall we find a rock to build upon, that we may be able to stand the shock, and remain safe and unmoved—in the wreck of dissolving worlds? What can uphold us—when this vast machine of our world, formed with so much skill and strength by the hands of a divine Architect, shall be broken up and fall to pieces?

Now, now is the time for us to find the refuge; it will be too late when all created supports are swept away, and this solid globe itself is dissolved beneath our feet into a sea of fire!

And where will you look? where will you turn? This earth, and all its riches, honours, and pleasures, will prove but a quicksand in that day. Your friends and relations, were they ever so great or powerful—can then afford you no support. If they can but find refuge for themselves, that will be all; therefore bethink yourselves once more; where shall you find a rock on which you may build a happiness that will stand the shock in that day?

If you are anxious and perplexed, I need only point you to my text for relief. "Behold," says the Lord God, behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation; he who believes shall not make haste."

Let me expatiate a little upon the properties of this foundation:

1. It is a STONE. A stone for solidity, stability, and durableness. Every thing else besides Christ . . .
is sliding sand,
is yielding air,
is a breaking bubble!

In that dread day . . .
wealth—will prove to be a vain shadow,
honour—will prove to be an empty breath,
pleasure—will prove to be a delusive dream,
your own righteousness—will prove to be a spider's web!

If we rely on these, disappointment and doom inevitable!

Nothing but Christ, nothing but Christ, can stably support us in that dread day! And blessed be God! "He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress—I will never be shaken!" Psalm 62:2. He alone e is sufficient for this purpose. Is a stone firm and solid? so is Jesus Christ.

His power is almighty, able to support the weakest of his people who build their hope upon him, and armour them against all the attacks of earth and hell.

His righteousness is infinitely perfect, equal to the highest demands of the divine law—and therefore a firm, immovable ground of trust. We may safely venture the weight of our eternal all upon this rock! It will stand forever, without giving way under the heaviest pressure; without being broken by the most violent shock. Let thousands, let millions, with all the mountainous weight of guilt upon them, build upon this foundation, and they shall never be moved!

Is a stone durable and lasting? So is Jesus Christ; he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, his strength an everlasting strength, and himself the everlasting Father. He lives for ever to make intercession for his people, and therefore he is able to save to the uttermost, to the uttermost point of duration, all who come unto God by him. Here is a stone that can never moulder away by the waste of all-consuming time.

Persian marble, and even the flinty rocks decay! The firm foundations, the stately columns, the majestic buildings of Nineveh, Babylon, and Persia, and all the magnificent structures of antiquity, though formed of the most durable stone, and promising immortality, are now shattered into ten thousand fragments, or lying in ruinous heaps! But here is a foundation for immortal souls, immortal as themselves; a foundation that now stands as firm under Adam, Abel, and Abraham, as the first moment they ventured their dependence upon it; a foundation that will remain the same to all eternity.

Therefore it deserves the next character given to it, namely—

2. It is a TRIED stone. "Tried," says a fine writer, "in the days of his humanity by all the vehemence of temptations, and all the weight of afflictions; yet, like gold from the furnace, rendered more shining and illustrious by the fiery scrutiny." His obediencewas tried; and it appeared upon trial that it was perfect and universal. His meekness was tried—by the abusive treatment he met with from men. His patience and resignation to the divine will was tried, when the bitter cup of the wrath of God was put into his hand, and when the absence of his Father extorted that bitter cry from him, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" Matthew 27:46. His love to his Father, and his zeal for his honour, were tried—and they were found an unquenchable flame, that glowed without once languishing through the whole of his life.

His love to men—to sinners—to enemies, was tried: tried to the uttermost: it was put to the trial, whether his own life—or theirs, was most dear to him; whether he would rather see his enemies perish by the sword of justice, or that himself should feel the agonies of a cross. This was a trial indeed; and you know how the outcome. The severity of the trial—did but render his love to us the more illustrious! In short, this stone was thoroughly tried by God and man—-and it still remained firm without a flaw!

Jesus has also been tried under the capacity of a Saviour —by millions and millions of depraved, wretched, ruined creatures, who have always found him perfectly able, and as perfectly willing—to expiate the most enormous guilt; to deliver from the most inveterate corruptions; and to save to the very uttermost—all who come unto God through him! Ten thousand times ten thousand, have built their hopes upon this rock—and it has never failed so much as one of them! Manasseh, Paul, and Mary Magdalene, and thousands more atrocious sinners—have ventured upon this all-sufficient rock with all their load of sin upon them—and found it able to sustain them!

This stone is the foundation of that living temple, the church, which has been now building for near six thousand years, and the top of which already reaches the highest heaven. All the millions of saints from Adam to this day, both those in heaven and those on earth, are living stones built upon this foundation-stone; this supports the weight of all. And this trial may encourage all others to build upon it; for it appears sufficient to bear them all.

But I must farther observe, that a different interpretation of this sentence, still nearer to the original, will give a new and important view of the sense of it. Instead of a tried stone, it may be rendered, "a stone of trial;" or, "a trying stone;" that is, this is the true touch-stone of men's characters. It is this that, above all other things, reveals what they really are: whether godly or wicked men, whether heirs of heaven or hell. Only propose Jesus Christ to them as a Saviour, and according as they receive or reject him—you may know their true character, and their everlasting doom!

If with eager hearts they spring forward and embrace him as a Saviour—they are true subjects to the King of heaven; they give the highest, the final, the most decisive proof of their subjection to his authority. That men should submit to Jesus Christ as a Saviour, is not a single command of God, but it is the drift, the scope, the substance of the whole law and gospel! It is the grand Scriptural precept; it is a kind of universal command that runs through all the dispensations of God, towards guilty men. And therefore, while men refuse to submit to this command, they are guilty of a kind of universal disobedience; and it is in vain for them to pretend to have a real regard to God and his authority in any one instance whatever. On the other hand, if they obey God sincerely in falling in with this command, they will obey him in everything; but if they will not obey him in this, they will truly obey him in nothing! Hence it is that good works are the inseparable fruits of faith in Christ; and that unbelief is the root of all evil.

Submission to Christ is also the most effectual trial, whether the corrupt dispositions of the heart, whether the innate enmity to God, pride, stubbornness, etc., are subdued. If a man is once made so dutiful, so humble, so pliable—as to submit to thishumbling, mortifying method of salvation through Jesus Christ, it shows that divine grace has got an entire victory over him, and that now the rebel is so subdued—that he will be obedient in anything. There is nothing in the whole law or gospel to which the hearts of unbelieving sinners are so averse—as this method of salvation by Christ alone. And therefore, when they are subdued to this, and made willing captives of the cross of Christ—we may be sure they have surrendered themselves to universal obedience!

This text has made strange discoveries in the world in every age. This touch-stone has revealed many glittering virtues—to be but dross!

The religious Pharisees and Scribes had a noble reputation among the Jews for piety—until this trying-stone was applied to them; and then it appeared what they were! And then it appeared that they were the most inveterate enemies of God upon earth. These were the builders who rejected this stone, and would not build upon it. They rather chose to build upon the sandy foundation of their own righteousness. Nay, instead of making Christ the foundation of their hopes, they made him a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence! Romans 9:32, 33. 1 Peter 2:8, and they stumbled and fell into destruction! "Christ crucified," says the apostle, "is a stumbling-block to the Jews!" 1 Corinthians 1:23.

This test made strange discoveries also in the heathen world. Many of the sages of Greece and Rome had a high reputation for wisdom and virtue; they gloried in it themselves, and they were admired and celebrated by the populace. But when this stone was pointed out to them as the only foundation of their hopes—they rejected it with proud disdain, and thought it much more safe to depend upon their own virtue and merit, than upon the virtue and merit of one that was crucified like a malefactor! And thus it appeared, that they were not truly good and virtuous.

Let this touch-stone be applied likewise to the men of this generation, and it will reveal a great many counterfeits!

You will find some who have a moral, amiable, winsome conduct, who are temperate, just, charitable, and shine with theappearance of many virtues.

You will find others who are very punctual in the religious duties; they are frequent in prayer, and strict attendants upon all the solemnities of divine worship.

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