"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 3:20-22
"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."–Isaiah 51:1
The people of God have every reason to rejoice in Jesus Christ, even though they have many enemies in this life. Israel of old was directed to look back to it's origin and consider how God had called them out to be a nation, even though they were but few in number in the beginning. The Lord did not set his love upon them, nor choose them because they were more in number than others, but because He loved them, and had made a covenant with their fathers to bring them out, and redeem them from the house of bondage, Deut. 7:7,8.
Is this not the testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ? Is He not the ROCK from which His Church was hewn? Believer, consider often not only the ROCK, but also the pit from which you were dug.
1. THE ROCK- Like a rock, the Lord Jesus Christ is the firm and sure foundation of His Church. He declared, "Upon this rock will I build My church," Matthew 16 :18. In old times, people dwelt in the rocks for refuge, as well as built on them. God in Christ is the believer's spiritual dwelling. His people, like the birds build their nest in Him. Like the mountain goat, they run upon the Rock, and find their pleasure there, Psalm 90:1,2. Rocks are durable, permanent, and lasting. The Lord Jesus Christ is the ROCK OF AGES, the same yesterday, today, and forever. He was, is, and shall be for all eternity, the Lamb slain for His people, I Peter 1:19,20. He was, is, and ever shall be the God and Savior of His people. He set His love upon His elect long before they ever knew Him. While they were yet sinners, He died for them. In time, His love ripened in quickening them by His Spirit and drawing them to Himself, Ephesians 2:1-5. Now, they follow after Righteousness, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, worked out in their behalf, Isa. 51:1. Those who are hewn from the ROCK are made like the ROCK. They have no righteousness of their own, but only that which they have in the ROCK itself, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
2. THE PIT– Stones for building are taken from a quarry. The quarry of salvation is in the eternal purpose and will of God the Father, Ephesians 1:4,5. God commanded that the stones taken for building an altar were not to be hewn or shaped by man, Exodus 20:25. So the believer, is not so by his own will or power, but as God has purposed him to be, in Christ. They are living stones taken from the pit of His love and grace, 1 Pet. 2:5.