Isaiah 28:16. “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE. God's people had placed their confidence in men who had no fear of God. They should have known better, these same were defeated when Israel followed the Lord. But Israel had turned and measured their strength in a way similar to others. The result was predictable, they would surrender in defeat, not following the way of their fathers.
What was one time their strength, now has gone, giving way to debilitating weakness. Where once they were honorable and sensitive, now they are given to excesses. Even the spiritual leaders are following the people down the path of open shame. What they once taught now has been despised; they have brought dishonor upon God's name.
Those who teach are making a mockery of it, teaching like children to do and do. In foolish simplicity that makes scorners laugh, they add rule on rule on rule. The people would not be taught, they had the attitude, “We'll make up our own minds.” The end of such a mind-set is some other power will teach you: no deliverance will you find.
So, if God's people refuse, He carries out His will through others. Those from foreign places are available to Him; God uses them to further His causes. God is in no way limited to use those just like us – His plans will be done in His way. Those He has favored and blessed are by-passed for those who will do what He says.
God is the Sovereign and His kingdom will last, of that fact there is no doubt. There is a Cornerstone, a firm foundation that is laid before there is a redoubt. The Precious Cornerstone is a sure foundation, there is no room for man's feeble plans. God is building His kingdom – not on dreams or human success: on a tested Stone, not on sand.
That Precious Cornerstone is the Lord Jesus Himself, He is the Messiah of Israel to come. On the firm foundation of His Person and work, there is established a people for His name. That kingdom is a kingdom of priests, each one able to worship and praise. Because of that Cornerstone, when they meet, glory to God they raise.
“Father God, I may not have gotten every word right, but You know I can see the need of Thy people getting back to the Lord and building their lives on the Precious Cornerstone. All the human interferences in Thy revealed plans must grieve Thee. I ask Thee to keep me today from misrepresenting Thee or Thy Word in any way. May my mind be clear and open to the directing of Thy Holy Spirit as I prepared for tomorrow and days yet to come. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”