Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:16)

A Tried Stone

The foundation of a building is key to its structural integrity. If the foundation is shoddy or carelessly constructed, the building will not stand. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a prime example of what happens when a building is built upon a foundation lacking proper footing. Dubai boasts the tallest building in the world, standing 2,717 feet, a feat that could not have been successful without a secure foundation to hold the weight and height of the building. The foundation is made of reinforced concrete and steel and is supported by concrete piles. A concrete mat is nearly 13 feet thick, and the piles are 5 feet in diameter. The foundation is 49 feet deep with over 58,900 cubic yards of concrete, weighing more than 110,000 tons.

Building a proper foundation is always the most important part of a project. Depending on the size and depth of the foundation, a building can be planned to fit the size. While it remains unseen, a building is the reflection of its foundation. The imagery of having a solid foundation was not lost on the ancients and was used by the Lord to show His will in the affairs of men. During the days of Isaiah the prophet, Israel was imploding with all the wickedness, immorality, and idolatry that was tearing the nation apart. God warned the people to repent, telling them He would bring His vengeance against them. Throughout the message of His wrath, the Lord included the message of divine hope. That hope would be in a tried stone that would become the foundation of the greatest edifice man has ever known.

Zion was the city of Jerusalem. The Temple had been built on a foundation ninety feet long and thirty feet wide. Using the metaphor of the Temple foundation, God shows through Isaiah the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, and a sure foundation. Jesus told Peter on the confession that he made, signifying that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the kingdom of God, the church, would be built. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter established the church on the foundation that Jesus, who was crucified, was both Lord and Christ. The early church preached Jesus as the tried stone and the cornerstone. Everything about the church comes from the foundation of Jesus being the Son of God.

Every person has a foundation upon which they build their lives upon. Some build their lives upon the pleasures of the flesh. Many seek fame with a foundation of pride to exalt self. The world is filled with lives built upon the shallow foundation of worldly desires. There is only one true foundation that will bring stability and hope: the foundation of Jesus Christ. As a tried stone, Jesus has shown His love for the Father to give His life for all men. He is the precious cornerstone that comes from His love to die for the sins of the world. His teachings become the sure foundation of eternal hope. Jesus is the tried stone as One who has proven His love for the Father and His love for mankind. He was tempted in all points but without sin. No other foundation can a man lay than what is found in Jesus Christ.

Everyone is a reflection of the kind of foundation they lay. If your life is founded on Jesus Christ, your life will reflect that solid footing. When you try to build your foundation on wealth, pleasure, wisdom, and things of this world, your life will fail because none of those things are stable and enduring. The foundation of Jesus Christ is good for this life and the life to come. Take a look at your foundation and see what it is made of. Build on Jesus Christ – the tried stone.