“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” (Isaiah 28:16 ESV).
The Lord spoke through Isaiah of a “precious cornerstone” that He would lay in Zion (“Jerusalem”). This stone would have certain attributes:
1) It would be laid by God Himself.
2) It would be the foundation.
3) It would be tested and found perfect.
4) It would be precious (none other like it).
5) It would be sure (faithful, unchangeable).
6) It would inspire belief and bring rest.
This Cornerstone is Christ Jesus. He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself” (Eph. 2:20). On the day of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem He quoted Psalm 118:22 to His detractors saying, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’?” (Matt.21:42).
Christ is the Cornerstone, the foundation of our faith. Whoever believes in Him “will not be in haste.” In other words, we will be at rest, not hastily searching for another place of safety, having found perfect peace and salvation in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that the Stone that You revealed to Isaiah has appeared. And we have believed in Him. For He is our precious Cornerstone, Christ Jesus. Now help us to rest in Him this day. Not striving, but resting. Not hurrying hastily, but fully present. Help us to stand on the Rock of our salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.