For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

~1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

It was another hot and windless day in San Francisco on October 17, 1989. There was a sense of electricity in the air as the anticipation built.

The game would be three of the World Series playoffs. The contest was scheduled to begin at 5:35 pm. The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s were going through the pre-game ceremonies at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California.

However, things were about to change as the clock moved closer to 5:04 pm pacific time. At that precise moment, the stadium started to rock, rattle, and roll as an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 and a maximum shock intensity, hit with tremendous impact. This earthquake was responsible for 63 deaths and 3,757 injuries. The foundations crumbled.

Friends, at any particular moment our lives can rock, rattle, or roll. With one phone call, one trip to the shopping mall, or even a night out at the movie theaters, our lives can be shattered with bad news. There is no guarantee of another day of life. In fact, we are not promised even another moment.

With such an unstable world, we must find someone that we ground ourselves to in order to survive these uncertain times and sudden calamities. We must discover the Cornerstone, the Tested Stone, the One who is the Sure Foundation. Only He can overcome the tribulations of this world and give us peace amidst uncertainty. Isaiah assures us,

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “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 good news about this unstable world that we live in is that we can survive the uncertainty of this world by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. By a simple act of faith, we can experience the perfect peace that comes only through Him. In John we read,

​I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. 

~John 16:33 ESV

I pray that each of us will never forget who is our Cornerstone, and upon that Cornerstone, we will remain stable. Christ Jesus is our Lord, and Savoir, and it is He alone who is the Cornerstone of our faith. He is the One who brings us perfect peace in a world inundated with tribulation of all kinds—physical, emotional, and spiritual. As we fix our eyes on Jesus Christ alone, He enables us to be fixed, unmovable, unshaken, and inoculated from the rock, rattle, and roll of this unstable world.

When you are feeling overwhelmed with the uncertainties of life, what is your go-to Bible verse?

Lord Jesus, You are my only source of true peace in this world of stress and frustration. With You in my heart, I can remain at peace. Thank You for being the One who lifts me above the calamity of this world.

Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright© 2019: Rock, Rattle, and Roll: Author Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved