FIRM FOUNDATION

(A monthly hymn story feature.)
The history of “big numbers” in English hymnody began with the brilliant Isaac Watts, who in his 74 years of life left a legacy of some some 750 hymns. But a few years after Watts' death, another little English boy was born, destined to continue a prolific legacy of hymns, or at least of published hymnals. His name was John Rippon, and after his youth in southwest England and university education, he ended up about 200 miles east, in London, as the 22-year-old pastor of a Baptist church. Unlike many pastors, who move around, Rippon stayed there for 63 years until his death at age 85, and the church became one of the largest congregations in the country. One of its later pastors would be the renowned preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Rippon, who also edited a Baptist magazine for twelve years, was known as the foremost authority on the hymns of Isaac Watts. He chose many for a hymnal for public worship, first published in 1787 and periodically revised. Eventually the hymnal, known as “Rippon's Selection” was reprinted 27 times with over 200,000 copies. Some of the hymns were his composition, but not all were identified by author. One of the most enduring of the hymns, “How Firm a Foundation,” had just an alphabet letter, “K,” for its credit. Many believe it was the work of his assistant, Robert Keene.

No one knows who wrote the hymn's melody, but it's believed to have been an American folk tune, probably from the South. Coming across the ocean, the hymn became well-known throughout the country. It was apparently a favorite of Andrew Jackson, president of the United States from 1829-1837. One time after Jackson retired to his famed home, The Hermitage, a local pastor was his guest. Jackson said, “There is a beautiful hymn of the subject of the exceeding great and precious promises of God to His people. It was a favorite hymn with my dear wife until the day of her death. It commences thus: 'How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord.' I wish you would sing it now.” The minister and his other visitors sang all seven stanzas for Jackson.

“How Firm a Foundation” was originally named “Scripture Promises,” with the words of 2 Peter 1:4 printed above the first stanza: “Exceeding great and precious promises” (KJV). Each stanza emphasized a different scriptural promise. Stanza 2 reinforces Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not, for I am with thee...I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” The hymn climaxes with the last verse's proclamation that echoes Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5: “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose....I'll never, no, never, no never forsake.”

Besides Andrew Jackson, the hymn was a favorite of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee, who wanted it sung at his funeral. President Theodore Roosevelt also considered it a favorite. And why not? It affirms we're loved by a God who says He will never, never forsake His children.

For listening, or singing-along, this video features vocals by Michael Card with inspiring artwork:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+firm+a+foundation+youtube+with+lyrics&ru=%2fvideos%2fsearch%3fq%3dhow%2bfirm%2ba%2bfoundation%2byoutube%2bwith%2blyrics%26%26FORM%3dVDVVXX&view=detail&mid=EC417756DB364E6C10A0EC417756DB364E6C10A0&&FORM=VDRVRV

Roy G. Biv's Lessons

When a large, moist weather system rumbled into my parched hometown a few weeks ago, the aftermath included a brilliant double rainbow as sun beamed through the waning showers. When I spot these colorful arches in the sky, I’m reminded of Genesis 9 and God’s promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. I also recall images of Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3, which tell of a full circle rainbow in portraying God’s glory. I can’t begin to imagine it.

For now, that transitory arch is wondrous enough. Oh, I’ve read the encyclopedia's explanations of how a rainbow is formed.  From childhood, I’ve known the “Roy G. Biv” acrostic for remembering the order of colors as sunlight is bent through water. Something I didn’t know until recently: the second, fainter rainbow has its colors in opposite order from the first.

Perhaps somebody else already thought of this, but I began thinking how the color order is also a guide to teaching about the Gospel.  The bottom part of the rainbow is always violet, then indigo, colors reminding me of royal standing and of the heavenly dwelling place of our creator God. “Blue” reminds me of how I tend to look up, to the skies, when yearning for the presence of God. Green is this earth that He created, and that we haven’t taken the best care of.  Yellow and orange remind me of drought, neglect and pollution. Also, yellow is a cliche for "fearful." Finally, there is red, which takes me to a harsh hill in Jerusalem where my Savior spilled His blood for my salvation, to enable me to live with God forever.

Rainbows also remind me of God’s special love for His people. When “floods” of sorrow or trouble wash over the lives of believers, they’re not left to themselves.  God said (through the prophet Isaiah): “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you” (Isaiah 43:2).

Hours before His arrest and botched “trials,” Jesus gave His disciples this warning and hope: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms...I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2). Just before returning to Heaven, the scars of the crucifixion on His resurrected body, Jesus said: “Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

The same reminder of God’s trustworthiness (and which blends Deuteronomy 31:6 and Psalm 118:6-7) came in this early church letter: “’Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’  So we say with confidence,’ The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5b-6).



These rocks, painted with rainbows by children, sit in my office
window. The lettering says, "Jesus is the Rock." They're a good
 visual reminder of the Lord's rock-solid help in life's hard places.

Best of all, the vision of Heaven accorded the old disciple John gave us this awesome look beyond Heaven’s royal curtains: “The throne of God and of the Lamb [Jesus] will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:3-4).

The beauty of Christ is revealed in a Christian’s life when a believer looks beyond earthly troubles, seeing that these are momentary events. Suffering is not wasted when it comes with evidence of Christ’s resurrection power.

So, go ahead and think of “Roy G. Biv” in marveling over the consistent blend of millions of hues in the rainbow’s arc.  But think, too, of the “ark,” as in “Noah’s ark.”  When life is stormy and seems out of control, God is still at work. His promises are even brighter than the rainbow that He traces across our earthly skies.