One hundred years ago the Washington Monument was dedicated. Many problems plagued the project from the start. Construction which began in 1847 was stopped for many years due to politics and the Civil War. However, after thirty-six years, five months and two days, the monument was finished to the height of 555 feet.

There was concern during the lapse of construction as to the foundation being sufficiently strong to support the enormous weight it would carry. A device was made with cords fastened high up in the structure with markers tied on the downward ends of the cords. The markers rested lightly in a pan of soft wax. Any movement of the massive walls, or any give in the foundation, would be registered on the soft wax. (Quite a crude test, we would say today!) Later, upon examination, it was found that the wax was crisscrossed with markings! "The foundation is giving away!" said the builders. Dismayed and discouraged, they began to investigate the cause of the markings. They discovered that an owl had flown to the top of the monument and gotten entangled in the cords! This had caused the markings on the wax. Needless to say, this was much to the relief of the builders. The foundation had proven itself, and it has proven to be sufficiently strong for these one hundred years.

The importance of a good foundation for anything cannot be over emphasized. This is especially so in spiritual matters, with the eternal welfare of the soul at stake. In Psalm 11:3, David asks, "If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" He knew the necessity of having a solid, unmovable basis upon which to rest, as well as the tragic loss of not having one.

The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can take heart. He has the fullest confidence in the foundation he rests upon. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt the stability and indestructibility of the foundation God has provided for sinful man. In 2 Timothy 2:19 we read that "the foundation of God standeth SURE." Hence, the foundation of the righteous; that is, those counted to be so by faith in Christ, shall not be destroyed. Neither shall the building which God is building upon that foundation ever be torn down. The Lord Jesus Christ, in referring to Peter's confession, of Him, namely, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God," said "Upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). The Washington Monument has stood for a hundred years, and will, perhaps for some time. But the Foundation and the Building of God shall stand forever!

In no uncertain terms, 1 Corinthians 3:11 reveals who the foundation is, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ." And He is "the Same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). Yes, Christ Jesus is that One and Only Indestructible Foundation. The believer can sing:

"A Rock that stands forever
Is Christ my Righteousness."

One cannot over emphasize the importance of being on that eternal Foundation. The Lord Jesus speaks of this when He refers to the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27. The wise man built his house upon the rock; the foolish man built his house upon the sand. The storm came and the house upon the rock stood firm; the house on the sand fell flat. I trust my readers can say with the song writer:

"On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand."

Then too, a word to the believer is given in 1 Corinthians 3:10: "But let every man take heed HOW he buildeth thereupon." Each believer is not only on the Foundation, but he is a builder upon it, and is to build according to the Holy standard and specifications of the Word of God.

In heaven, after the rapture of the Church, the believer shall appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ. There, we read, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:14,15).

In verse 12, the Christian's works are declared to be either of gold, silver, precious stones, or of wood, hay or stubble. Surely when the fire, which is symbolical of judgment, shall sweep through every man's works, only the gold, silver and precious stones will remain. The believer will learn that only what has been done to the glory of God, to magnify the work of Christ, and according to the precious ministry of the Spirit of God will abide for the praise and glory of God and yields reward for faithfulness. Also, when the believer sees the wood, hay and stubble character of his works burnt up, he will rejoice and magnify God for His grace shown to him even in his failure. Even though the works are burned, how wonderful to know that he shall forever stand upon the Foundation, and be associated with Christ in His coming millennial kingdom.

If one is not now upon that Foundation, let me say that the day of grace is fast coming to a close. Delay no longer, come just as you are in repentance, and rest upon Christ, the Solid Rock.

If we are on that Foundation, we should seek to live so as to please Him. Then the works which He longs to do through us will be produced, and will abide as a result of His living in and through us for His glory and for our eternal gratitude. Our lives will then be a monument to His divine work of grace throughout the ages of eternity.