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Firm Foundation: Certain Hope in Uncertain TimesSample

Firm Foundation: Certain Hope in Uncertain Times

DAY 3 OF 5

Day 3: The Dove

When I wrote the song, “The Dove,” with my wife Kari and our friends Austin and Andrew, we wanted to connect the image of the Holy Spirit as a dove throughout scripture. Verse one of the song reflects this, unveiling the story of creation in Genesis and the Holy Spirit’s role in it.

God was there at the beginning
His Spirit brooding like a dove
Spoke the earth into existence
Formed creation that He loved
Man was born of perfect image
Made to be a friend of God
Meant to dwell within His presence
Yeah it’s where we all belong

Verse two carries on this theme, touching on the Holy Spirit’s symbolic representation through a dove after the flood. And finally, the dove resting on the “vine” Himself, Jesus Christ.

When sin had spoiled creation
The Creator sent a flood
On the cusp of new beginning
He again released the dove
And after all the searching
It found a place to land
On Christ the perfect son
Who would redeem it all again
Looking for the branches it landed on the vine
The One for our redemption
Who would bridge eternal life

One thing I noticed when writing this song is how the dove in scripture is present in moments of new creation and affirmation.

In Genesis 1, we see the Holy Spirit breathing creation to life, followed by the affirmation of God when He says, “It is good.” Then, in Genesis 8, we see the dove sent out to find a place to land, reappearing in Matthew 3 when the Holy Spirit as a dove descends on Jesus as God declares: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (v.17, NKJV).”

But that’s not the end of the Holy Spirit’s story, and it’s reflected in the third verse of the song.

It is not by my own earning
To have the helper at my side
The gift was fully purchased
When the lamb was crucified
So now freely I can ask Him
For His blood has washed me clean
Let the dove of heaven rest upon the Christ in me

Now, through Jesus, and the victory of his blood, you and I are the new creation. And we are affirmed by the Father.

Through His grace, He declares over us: “This is my son. This is my daughter… In whom I am well pleased!”

So boldly we can pray, “May the dove of heaven rest upon the Christ in me!”

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About this Plan

Firm Foundation: Certain Hope in Uncertain Times

Drawing inspiration from his album, Firm Foundation, join Cody Carnes as he takes you on a five-day journey to experience the reality of God’s presence, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the power of Jesus’ blood. 

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