“Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line,
And righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. 18 Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. 19 As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over,
and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.” 20 For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it. 21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon—that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act. 22 Now therefore, do not be mockers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a destruction determined even upon the whole earth. “” Isaiah 28:16-22 NKJV
Lord God,
In the opening of this chapter we read Lord God of Your divine judgement against the ten tribes of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin because of their sins and iniquities. Then the chapter flows into this prophesy using very clear, strong, definite architectural illustrations.
The promise of a proved, tried and sure cornerstone. Not like the one in the Temple which could be knocked down. But one that can be absolutely trusted. It will show up all that is not straight and true and even stand through death and sheol and darkness.
A prophecy, for hundreds of years beyond Isaiah’s time, the promise of Christ, the Messiah, the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come (Ephesians 2:19) . A foundation of God from before the beginning. A tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and who never fails. Binding together the whole, bearing the weight of every believer and the whole church. And whoever believes in any age or from any nation shall find a Your safe place.
Whatever people put their trust in, except the righteousness, wisdom and purity of Christ will eventually topple or crumble. Those who trust in a righteousness of their own, will have deceived themselves and find the bed is too short, the covering too narrow. What a simple but clear illustration of never finding peace and rest! So Lord help us not to miss Your reproofs lest our foot slips from the cornerstone, who is Christ.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 16th June 2026
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live.
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Lyrics: Keith Getty & Stuart Townend