The Foundation Of Your Times

"The Foundation of Your Times"

Isa 33:5-6 … Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. NLT

INTRODUCTION

1. In the days of Isaiah (700 B.C.), the kingdom of Judah was

facing perilous times. Assyria was advancing from the north, conquering kingdom after kingdom. Even the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity

As Assyria drew near to Jerusalem, the people were undecided as to where to turn. Some advocated they give themselves up to the Assyrians. Others looked to the south, believing an alliance with Egypt would save them

God sent Isaiah to warn the people to do neither. The key to their salvation was to trust in the Lord, not man. The Lord would provide the stability they needed, when all seemed lost

In Isa 33:5-6 we find one such exhortation to put their trust in the Lord. Scripture speaks of wisdom and knowledge of the Lord as "the foundation of your times"

Though we are removed from the days of Isaiah by thousands of years. The counsel given by him still rings true! In troubled times, the Lord provides "The Foundation Of Your Times"!

To illustrate how this is true even today, let’s begin by noticing the

unstable condition of our times and the effect such instability can

have on people.

I. THE UNSTABLE CONDITIONS OF TODAY

A. WE FACE MANY DISTURBING THINGS IN LIFE...

1. Many are common in every age

Job 14:1 "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble

Sickness, Death, Natural disasters

2. Some may be peculiar to our day and age

Threat of biological war, environmental pollution, inflation, recession, unemployment, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, terrorism

B. THE AFFECT SUCH THINGS CAN HAVE...

For some, there is anxiety and fear. Others react with depression.

Even Christians can be affected as we murmur and complain or simply exist in a state of "joylessness"

C. YET SOME ARE NOT DISTURBED …

Even though they experience the same things which devastate others The same financial crises, diseases, uncertainties…

Somehow they still find cause for great joy and stability in their lives!

It is the LORD who provides our foundation for troubled times!

II. The foundation provided by the lord comes through wisdom and knowledge... "Wisdom and knowledge will be the foundation of your times"

Joke….How many Bricks = Search for Knowledge

While people were visiting a military school, they noticed several students on

their hands and knees assessing the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in

hand.

What are they doing?

A senior of the school said "Each year the upperclassmen ask the freshmen how

many bricks it took to finish this courtyard."

"So what is the answer?

The senior replied simply, "One."

Wisdom and knowledge of God can help us face Life:

Wisdom of the Bridge Builder

A story is told of two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into

conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by

side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a

hitch. Then the relationship fell apart.

It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference,

and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks

of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man

with a carpenter’s toolbox. "I’m looking for a few days work," he said.

"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here.

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the

creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother.

Last week there was a meadow between, he took his bulldozer to the river

levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to

spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber over by the

barn? I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won’t need

to see his place anymore.

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails

and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter

get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter

worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the

farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes

opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence at all. It was a