How Firm A Foundation, my all time favorite hymn, is a hymn with a mystery.  It has been attributed to “K” in “Rippon’s Selection of Hymns” compiled in 1787.  We don’t know who wrote the lyrics or the music. I read that it was once sung to the tune of “O Come All Ye Faithful”. The hymn became very popular in both the North and the South during the Civil War. It is really a sermon in verse. The first verse tells us that the sure foundation of the Christian faith is the Bible.

• Verse 2 comes from Isaiah 41:10

Fear not I am with thee O be not dismayed

For I am thy God I will still give thee aid

I’ll strengthen thee help thee

And cause thee to stand

Upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand

• Verse 5 is from 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Hebrews 13:5

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie

My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply

The flames shall not hurt thee I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine

Verse six is my favorite verse. I used to think when I would sing these words it was me talking to God. Then one day I realized it is God talking to me. God says to me, “Morri, you have put your life in my hands. I will not desert you. No matter what comes along to try to shake you, I will never, no never, no never forsake you!

(I am now standing on my chair, shouting and praising God!)

•  Verse 6

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not I will not desert to its foes

That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake

I’ll never no never no never forsake

I am sure that this one hymn will be all we need this Sunday to bring us into God’s presence but we will go ahead and sing a few more.

Blessed Be Your Name is a contemporary song that spans the generation gap right along with How Great is Our God. And then we will sing one of the greatest hymns of the 20^th Century, How Great Thou Art!

This will be a worship service you will not want to miss!