Build Your Life on the Solid Cornerstone

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

Isaiah 28:16

In the midst of foretelling his judgment of his people for their unfaithfulness, the Lord offers a surprising word of hope. He is laying “a stone in Zion” (28:16). This “tested stone” is “a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” on which one can build without fear that one’s structure will come tumbling down.

Scholars differ in their interpretations of Isaiah’s original meaning for the cornerstone. From the prophet’s point of view, it might have been the temple, a Davidic king, or the city of Jerusalem. New Testament writers see in this cornerstone a prophetic pointer to Jesus (see Rom 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:5-6). Ultimately, he alone is the cornerstone on which it is safe to build our lives. He alone is the one in whom we can have full confidence.

It’s common for Christians to think about building our personal lives on the foundation of Christ. Our families, close relationships, and private affairs are based on Jesus and the good news about him. But our public lives, including our work, are often built on something else, perhaps the values of the free market, the ethos of our company, or our personal ambitions.

These things are not necessarily wrong, but they are inadequate if we want to build that which will last, whether it is our faith, our family, or our even business. But, as Hudson Taylor, the nineteenth-century missionary once said, “Christ is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all.” Similarly, the Dutch statesman and theologian, Abraham Kuyper, said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Thus we are encouraged to make Christ the sure foundation for all that we build in this life.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

On what or on whom are you building your life, really?

What other “cornerstones” compete for your ultimate trust, besides Jesus?

What would it mean for you to build your life on Jesus?

What would it mean for Jesus to be the foundation of your work?

PRAYER:

Gracious God, I acknowledge that you are the true cornerstone, the one on whom I can build a solid, lasting, purposeful life. I know, in my head at least, that if I build upon you, I won’t be let down.

But I must confess that I am tempted to choose other cornerstones in addition to you. I want to build my life on the foundation of rationality, or family, or success, or on my ability to control my life. It’s not that I don’t want you to be one cornerstone of my life. But I find it easy to hedge my bets and to have several cornerstones.

Forgive me, Lord, for how easily I displace you. Forgive me for my failure to rely fully on you. Help me to put my full trust in you. May I build my life with you as my cornerstone. May every part of my life – work, family, friendships, play, service, worship – be founded on you. Be sovereign over every square inch of my life! Amen.

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online commentary: Life, Knowledge, and Wisdom (Isaiah 28ff.)