"The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is His new creation by water and the Word. From heav'n He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.

"Through toil and tribulation and tumult of her war She waits the consummation of peace forevermore Till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest. And the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest."

Buildings, bridges, and highways have foundations of concrete or stone, foundations that hopefully will allow the structures to withstand daily use, storms, floods, and earthquakes. People have foundations, too. Some people choose to build their lives on a foundation of wealth or possessions. For others, families provide stability during difficult times. Other people organize their lives around allegiance to political figures or a particular worldview or philosophy. Those who build on such things assume that these foundations will remain strong in trying times.

We who trust in Jesus are the church, His body, and we have one Foundation, Jesus our Lord—not two foundations, such as a political figure or a worldview and Jesus, but one foundation. As the apostle Paul writes, "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). Unlike people who choose to build their lives on wealth or possessions, we did not choose our foundation. He chose us. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven to earth to save us. He suffered, died, and rose from death to redeem us "with His own blood." He created each of us anew in the water and Word of Baptism.

Buildings and highways built on strong foundations can be ruined by storms or tumble down in earthquakes. In the face of trouble, illness, or death, earthly foundations of wealth or possessions or even family may not provide the security we seek. Jesus is our Foundation and He will never fail us, even though the church will suffer "through toil and tribulation and tumult of her war." The body of Christ on earth endures trials. False teachers will arise and try to lead believers astray. Brothers and sisters in Christ cause division with their anger and quarreling. The church will suffer hatred and persecution, yet through it all our Foundation Jesus Christ remains unshaken.

Our Foundation is secure, but unlike a building or highway, the church is alive. We are living stones who grow in faith through the study of God's Word. We proclaim the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus and share His love through our words and actions. In the power of the Holy Spirit the church grows, built up in love and faith until finally, in Jesus' presence forever, "the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest."

WE PRAY: Jesus, our one Foundation, we long for the day when we will rest in Your presence forever. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "The Church's One Foundation," which is number 644 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

1. What's the most magnificent building you've ever seen?

2. How is Jesus the Foundation of the church?

3. What can we do to be healthy members of the church, of Christ's body on earth?

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 1-2, 10    Acts 16:22-40

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