Foundations

 

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, land your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:19-24 ESV).

 

One of my dear friends from Tennessee, Billy Potts, was a civil engineer and construction supervisor for the state department of roads and bridges. He was responsible for overseeing the construction of many of the bridges in Middle Tennessee. One of those bridges was located on New Highway 7 near Santa Fe. I remember having a conversation with him while we were riding out to visit one of the members of our church. We talked about materials and techniques in the construction process. However, the most important thing he shared with me was the absolute precision necessary in laying the foundation. If the foundation wasn’t right, the bridge would never be right. Remembering that conversation I came to today’s reading.

 

Setting a foundation for anything can be a difficult and sometimes complicated task. Whether it’s constructing a house, engineering a bridge, laying down pavement for a new road, or installing a retaining wall, the foundation is essential to whatever is being made. Proverbs tells us that God founded the heavens and the earth by wisdom and understanding. There’s something very important here for us as we go forward in our lives.

 

The New Testament gives us some clarity on this. Now that Jesus has come, the mysteries of God have been revealed. As the apostle Paul says, “In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth… all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John also notes that “in the beginning was the Word [Logos]” and that “through him all things were made.” What’s more, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” and he is “the Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14). Christ himself is our source of heavenly wisdom, of knowledge and understanding from God. He is the foundation and the means by which we can grow. This means that if we are to pursue wisdom, we will find it in Jesus and no one else. Lay the right foundation in your life.