How Firm A Foundation

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

I love the words from this 18th century hymn based out of Isaiah 43:1-7. The passage is filled with powerful metaphors that point to God's promise of faithfulness in the middle of sorrows and grief. (The author of this hymn is unknown)

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! . . .
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; . . . 
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. . . .
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."