How firm a foundaton

Today, I am in desperate need of the reminder that, as saints of the Lord, we have many promises God has given us. We have a firm foundation.
I want to type out each line of the hymn "How Firm a Foundation", and let every word touch me. I feel as though I have never needed to hear each word more. This hymn provides such a powerful display of God's promises, that I cannot deny it's truth.

And right now, I need to read something that I cannot deny.

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said-
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

"Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand"

"When through the deep waters, I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress"

"When through fiery trials, thy pathway shall lie,
Thy grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flames shall not harm thee; I only design,
They dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

"That soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I will never, no never, no never forsake!"


I think these are perhaps some of the most beautiful and most powerful words outside of scripture.

When I looked up the song, (to be sure I had all of the words right) I discovered what passages of scripture inspired this beautiful hymn.

Isaiah 43:1-5

But now, this is what the Lord says-
He who created you, Oh Jacob
He who formed you, Oh Israel
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers,
They will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
The flames will not set you ablaze.
For, I am the Lord, your God,
The holy one of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
And because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
And people in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east,
and gather you from the west."

Hebrews 13:5
..., because God has said,
"Never will I leave you,
  never will I forsake you."

How firm a foundation we find in His excellent word!

Lord, let this penetrate my heart, and let me always carry these truths with me.