Friday February 4, 2022

Today is Friday, February 4 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about foundations.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me. I enter this time of prayer to experience your abiding presence. Break new ground in my heart and soul this year. Teach me to build my life on a solid foundation and bedrock of truth. Come, Holy Spirit, reveal your message to me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I praise God and give thanks for his salvation with the words of Psalm 118.

I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:21-24

Pause and Pray

In first century construction, the cornerstone was prepared and chosen for its exact 90-degree angle. The cornerstone was set at the intersection of two walls of the structure. It is the basis for the construction of the whole building. The cornerstone provides stability and longevity to the growing structure. It is where construction begins. Jesus is the cornerstone. There is an interesting play on words in the original Hebrew. “Son” in Hebrew is “ben.” “Stone” in Hebrew is “eben.” The living stone is the living son. Ben and eben. Jesus is the stone (God’s only Son) the religious leaders rejected who became the cornerstone – the most important stone in the entire structure.

For in Scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:6-9

I ask God to break ground in my soul and prepare me for what he has for me in this new year. I want to lay a strong and sure foundation for the building of my life. Jesus is the cornerstone, chosen and precious. I love the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies Peter lists from the Old Testament (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14). I choose Jesus as the cornerstone of my soul. I place my complete trust in him. Jesus is the living stone, the cornerstone, the rejected stone and the stumbling stone – “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” Christ is the rock of my destiny. The stone stands immovably in my way, an image of strength and simultaneously a challenge. I have a choice laid before me, to believe in Jesus Christ and be a precious child of God or to reject Jesus Christ and stumble and fall. I praise God for he has called me out of misery and darkness into his wonderful light.

Ask: How has choosing Christ changed my destiny? How can I build my life around Jesus the cornerstone – the most important stone in the entire structure?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, I choose you. Your relationship and companionship is precious to me. Thank you for your voice, calling me out of the darkness and sin of this world into the wonderful light of your salvation and blessing. I praise your name forever and give thanks that I am a child of God, part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. I read your words from Peter again and listen for the message you have for me.

For in Scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:6-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Scripture is said to be a love letter from God, and I eagerly and often read the Bible to hear the Beloved speaking to me. God has a message for me today, the question is am I able to receive his communication. I try to listen with the ear of my heart. I consider my current circumstances and what has been on my prayer list lately. Does the image, word or phrase that stands out to me from 1 Peter inform my situation or answer a prayer? Perhaps there is something missing in my life that God is trying to reveal. Or perhaps there is something missing in my life that God wants to supply, if only I will receive it. God wants to do a new thing this year in me and through me. I consider what difference it will make if Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of what God is building in my life.

Pause and Pray

Jesus, Messiah and Chief Cornerstone, come and be planted as the cornerstone of all God is constructing in me. Provide the stability and longevity to the structure of my life that I desperately need. In places where I have built haphazardly or crookedly, set the angles right and return me to a place of good foundation for my future with you. I invite you in as the chief contractor of my soul. Amen.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

I leave this time of prayer to carefully and intentionally build my life on a strong foundation. I go to build healthy, life-giving relationships with the people I encounter.

Amen.