In the midst of everything that is going on around us, the song “Cornerstone” (lyrics below) has been playing over and over again in my head. In the midst of all of the upheaval, the song is a testimony to the assurance and hope we can have in the One who is our true Cornerstone.
For millennia, architects and builders knew the importance of the cornerstone. It was the first and most important stone to be set in place. It was the rock upon which the weight of the entire structure rested. It oriented the building and marked the starting point of its specific direction. It served as a declaration of ownership, an inscription of purpose and a reminder of its beginnings. In short, without the cornerstone the structure would lack integrity, definition, and clarity of purpose.
The architects and founders of our nation also understood the importance of the cornerstone. In the wake of last week’s events, we were reminded that the assault on the U. S. Capitol was in many ways part of a larger assault on the cornerstone of our democracy – the U. S. Constitution. It embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the United States exists and is governed. It declares our common purpose and pledge. In short, our founding fathers knew that without it our nation would devolve into anarchy and chaos in the absence of those foundational laws to protect liberty and justice.
But we would do well to remember that there is a cornerstone that surpasses all others. This cornerstone was established and placed by the Creator Himself. He knew that without His Cornerstone, our selfishness and sin would lead us to fall headlong into a downward spiral of chaos and depravity that would lead us further and further away from Him. He, Himself, declared:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.”(1)
Our Creator wasn’t speaking of buildings, or even constitutions, He was speaking of His own Son – the One who would be and provide the firm foundation for our lives. But, alas, He knew our propensity to reject Him. Adam and Eve had rejected His best in the Garden of Eden and every generation that followed has done the same. He forewarned that many of His creation would reject His Cornerstone.(2)
But to those who have not rejected Jesus, and have surrendered their lives to follow Him as their Savior, He is the Cornerstone on whom our hope is built. On Him and in Him, we are made strong. Even in the midst of the fiercest storms of life, He is our Solid Rock and our Anchor.
He is the cornerstone on whom our lives are built for eternity. Paul said it well: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”(3) There is not anything that we will encounter that is beyond His capacity to carry us through. There is no burden that is too heavy. There is no problem that is too great. Nothing is so tall or so deep that it can separate us from our Cornerstone.(4)
Over the ages, many buildings have eventually collapsed because the cornerstone has simply worn out and come to its end. But our Cornerstone is eternal. He always was and He forever will be. In Him and through Him we have life everlasting – with no end. And He is the only foundation that can make that promise and live up to it.
He is the cornerstone that sets the direction for our lives. His invitation to those first disciples was “follow Me.”(5) And now, two thousand years later, His invitation to us has not changed – “Follow Me!” As we follow Him, He sets the direction. He takes whatever is crooked and makes it straight. He fills the valleys and makes the rough places level.(6) He assures us that He will never abandon us in the journey.(7) And what He begins in us, we are assured He will complete!(8)
He is the cornerstone that declares His ownership and directs our purpose. Our sins have been erased by His shed blood, and He has clothed us in His righteousness. We are His workmanship; created in Him for His purpose. Our Cornerstone is transforming us into His image.(9) As we walk with Him, He is the One who is seen. We are grafted into Him – the Vine – and any fruit produced through our lives is His fruit for His purpose. Apart from our Cornerstone we can do nothing! (10)
He is the cornerstone that was from before the beginning. All things have been created by Him, for Him, and through Him.(11)
Over the years, buildings have been destroyed and cornerstones have been demolished. Even constitutions have been assaulted. But the one Cornerstone that remains over and above the rest cannot be destroyed. He cannot be shaken. He cannot be defeated, and He cannot be worn down. He is the same today as He was yesterday, as He will be tomorrow.
So, in the midst of all of the chaos and confusion, don’t lose sight of the Cornerstone. Lift up your voice and join in the refrain:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name
* * * * *
(1) Isaiah 28:16 (NLT)
(2) Psalm 118:22
(3) Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
(4) Romans 8:39
(5) Matthew 4:19
(6) Luke 3:5
(7) Hebrews 13:5
(8) Philippians 1:6
(9) 2 Corinthians 3:18
(10) John 15:5
(11) Colossians 1:16
Cornerstone
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name
(Repeat)
Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil
Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all
(Repeat 2x)
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found (Oh, yeah)
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne
Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all
(Repeat 2x)
Songwriters: Jonas Myrin / Reuben Morgan / Eric Liljero / William Bradbury
“Cornerstone” contains verses from the hymn “The Solid Rock” written by Edward Mote.
Cornerstone lyrics © Little Shop Of Morgansongs, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia