Thus

"Thus says Jehovah God, the King of Israel, the Redeemer, the Lord of armies!" Isaiah 44:6.

OK. So what is the thus that God said? This: I am the first and I am the last. (The first what? The last what?) This: Outside of me there is no god. (But what about all those gods people always talk about?) Thus says the Lord: Any god that's out there, Stand up! Say so! Foretell the future! And make it happen! That's the thus that says the Lord. And the Lord says this thus, too, to his people: You are witnesses to my provision and care. So, don't fear. Don't be afraid. I don't know any foundation god for you. Except for me: I am the One and the Only, the Rock. Thus says the Lord.

We stand today with a brother or sister on God, built upon the Rock our God declared we must follow. And, together, we praise his building of us into his holy temple whose cornerstone is Christ.