Understanding What It Means When Society or Faith Seems to Fall Apart
What Does “Crumbling Foundations” Mean?
The phrase “crumbling foundations” comes up in the Bible, especially in Psalm 11:3, which asks: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” In simple terms, this is talking about what happens when the basic rules and values that hold a society together start to fall apart. The “foundations” here are not about buildings—they’re the moral and spiritual principles that guide people to do what’s right.
The Big Question: What Can Good People Do?
Psalm 11 was written by David while he was facing a tough situation. He saw that unfair and wicked people were trying to ruin justice and goodness in the land. The question, “What can the righteous do?” expresses how helpless good people might feel when the world around them seems broken and corrupt. It’s a cry for help and wisdom during chaotic times.
Other Bible Passages About Shaky Foundations
- Isaiah 24:19-20: This passage describes the earth shaking like a drunken person because of sin. It’s a dramatic picture of society and the world collapsing due to people turning away from God.
- Luke 6:46-49: Jesus tells a story about two builders. One builds his house on a strong foundation (rock) and the other on sand. When the storm comes, the house on sand falls. The lesson? If your life isn’t built on solid truths—Jesus’ teachings—it won’t stand up to trouble.
- Jeremiah 23:11-14: Here, the prophet Jeremiah points out how corrupt religious leaders have misled people, weakening the spiritual foundation of the whole nation.
Why Do Foundations Crumble?
In the Bible, crumbling foundations can mean different things:
- Societal Collapse: When laws, justice, and fairness break down, society itself is in trouble.
- Spiritual Decline: When people lose sight of basic spiritual truths or faith grows weak, the foundation of their lives is shaky.
- Personal Instability: If someone’s life is built on changing, unreliable things (like popularity or money) instead of strong, lasting values, trouble and disappointment easily follow.
What’s the Solution?
The message of Psalm 11 and other passages is to hold on to faith and trust in God, especially when everything else seems to be falling apart. David, the writer of the Psalm, decided to trust God no matter what, even when friends advised him to run away. The Bible says that good people have God to turn to, and that’s the foundation that can’t be destroyed.
Even when the world seems unfair and evil people prosper, faith in God provides hope and security. The Bible encourages us to build our lives on God’s teachings, not on unreliable things. Just like a house built on rock stands firm in a storm, a life built on faith and truth will stand strong through troubles.
A Final Thought
When you hear about “crumbling foundations” in the Bible, remember it’s about more than buildings—it’s about the principles and beliefs that keep our lives steady. The Bible’s advice is simple: trust in God, hold on to what’s right, and build your life on truths that last. No matter how uncertain things get, there’s hope and security in a strong spiritual foundation.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 