'If The Foundations Be Destroyed'

‘If the foundations be destroyed’

The psalmist wrote, ‘if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do’? (Ps11:3) We have watched as the political foundations of Ulster are being systematically destroyed, piece by piece. Then, there is the systematic and sustained destruction of the social foundations, as the machinery of humanism and atheism are hard at work.

However, there is another foundation which is precious to God’s redeemed people; it is the foundation of civil and religious liberty. The destructive attack here is not so much open and obvious, but rather covert in nature. The forces of darkness are attempting to destroy this fundamental foundation.

Sadly, this destructive process has been evidenced of late in the fiasco which has embroiled the Free Presbyterian Church and its political wing, the DUP. The former moderator of the church and leader of the political party had once championed the cause of civil and religious liberty, but since the political agreements in Belfast and St Andrews were signed, that entire foundation is under attack.

In such a circumstance, God’s people have been looking for leadership; they have been looking for support, in such a time of crisis. They watch on helplessly, as criminals have been handed a get out of jail free card, in order to achieve someone’s political ambition. They watch in horror as supporters of terrorism are invited into government position. They listen to the cries of the bereaved and suffering, as their assailants go free, which makes a mockery of God’s Word.

Furthermore, many of God’s people feel let down as leaders that served them in the past, have abandoned their former principles. A new political dispensation is being implemented without due respect or regard being given to the foundation of civil and religious liberty. The difficulty for many of God’s people, is to have had sat, under the separatist ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church, and then to witness their church do the very opposite themselves.

The hard work of laying foundation upon the principles and teachings of God’s Word in the past, has profited little when those that sought to build thereon, have been destroyed by reproach and compromise.

‘If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ They can separate unto Christ, the sure and solid foundation, and lay the foundation of civil and religious liberty once more, without the camp of compromise and error.

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)