Foundation of the Gospel
Ephesians 2:16-17
...​that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
An Immovable Ordinance
A foundation sets the standard for the future of an establishment, ordering how the purposes will be performed, it is then executed from the beginning. Anything carried out from that point on must be built using the same components that are a part of the foundation; if not, then what is built on that foundation will not be strong enough to withstand the forces that may come against it.
​
When God sets something in its place, it is to establish an immovable ordinance.
Psalm 104:1, 5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul. . . Who laid the foundations
of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, Holiness To The Lord. - Exodus 28:36-37
Psalm 87:1 - His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Psalm 11:1-3 – In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Putting our trust in the Lord is being set on a firm foundation. The wicked attempt to destroy the foundation of the righteous, if they are successful, the righteous have nothing to sustain them. This is why it is important for those who trust in the Lord to remember His counsel - meditate on it bth day and night.
Proverbs 10:25 – As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
To the people that scorn at the truth of the Lord, their foundation is insecure, because it is founded on lies; which is why God promised,
...Hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves . . . (Isaiah 28:14-15)
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16).
That stone is Jesus Christ! Praise God!
1 Peter 2:1, 3-9 – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings … If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
What makes a strong foundation?
According to God's instruction it is made by removing unrighteousness. Not living the lie of seeking God, while living in sin, instead of recognizing it for what it is to cast it far away from them.
Isaiah 58:1-12 – Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
One of the main purposes in fasting or denying one's self is to be able help another in need. However, some have done it for show or other selfish reasons.
God, through Isaiah, reminded His people of the fasting acceptable to Him.
Isaiah 58:5-7 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.… Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
God will then hear and respond to those who do right.
Isaiah 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
The promises of God are toward the righteous.
Isaiah 58:11-12 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Those who are numbered among the righteous will be able to build up the old places that were torn down and will be able to raise the foundations, because they learned how to repair and restore what was once broken down – having understood what caused the breaches and destruction of the paths in the first place. The righteous will rebuild on the solid Rock, Christ Jesus, with the wisdom and knowledge of God, walking in the fear of the Lord. They will have the understanding that the most important thing for God's people to do is that which pleases Him in order to glorify Him in everything both inwardly and outwardly.
1 Peter 2:7-9 – Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Psalm 50:5-8 - Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself. Selah. Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before Me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:14-17 - Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare My statutes, or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth My words behind thee.
Psalm 50:22-23 - Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
The foundation of God is holiness. Everything about Him is holiness. His house is set apart, holy to Him as well as the priests and Levites who serve in His house – the priest being crowned with a crown which said they were “Holiness to the Lord”.