Grow • Devotion #2: Firm Foundation
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
One of the keys to growth is setting the right foundation. I recently had knee surgery and it is quite apparent to me the value of knowing my knee will not give out. If you have ever had ankle or knee problems, you probably know what I am talking about. A firm foundation is vital.
In our passage today, Paul uses the phrase “rooted and built up in him and established.” The wording seems a little redundant, but I do think it gives a more descriptive picture of having a solid foundation.
Psalm 1:1-3 also envisions a tree that is very healthy due to being rooted and established, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” The foundation comes from being in the Word and letting the Word be in you. It is the concept of reading a passage and then letting your mind chew on it all day long as you go about life.
Matthew 7:24-27 gives a familiar story that clearly relates to having a firm foundation, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” The foundation is crucial. Our thoughts, words, and actions needed to be based on what the Word of God directs. It should be from and for God.
As I write this, I am reminded of a hymn from 1787 by George Keith titled, “How Firm a Foundation.” The first verse says it plainly:
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?