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Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
There were two kinds of people in the days of Jesus. Some heard the words that Jesus spoke and were awed by His wisdom and understanding but did nothing about what they heard. Others heard those words and acted on them. Jesus said that those who heard the words but failed to put them into practice were foolish and likened them to building a house on sand. How foolish, indeed, it would be to build a house on sand.
The person who followed what Jesus taught was a person who would be sure to weather life's storms.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).
You never know how well your house is built until it is tested by the elements. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveal how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveal the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.
Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God's commands. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life's storms. How do we react when the trials come? Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriately when we don't get what we want? The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built on His rock. If so, you can be comforted to know that you can weather any storm that may come your way.
4 comments:
Only 2 responses yesterday, come on fellas.
We all know this one is true. I suspect not all of us have had our house tested to the extent of others. As they say, "walking a mile in another man's shoes"
Well, that could be one hellascious mile depnding on who you get I guess. Personlly I tend to start to worry and then remember that verse from Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I used to repeat this over and over before big presentations at work.
cas
Just like anything in life, if we practice what we are taught then we should stand on solid ground in that aspect of life. So true is building a solid foundation with the Lord. My relationship is God is an everyday meeting. I am far from having a perfect foundation but I keep building. If that building falls, I have to start over again. Jesus was determined to show us the love of his father and he did everything his Father told him.
Through all the storms of life, we have to stay strong, pray and practice the word of the Lord.
I still worry once in a while (more getting nervous really), but most of the time I do take comfort in the Lord, and take comfort in knowing that these trials will pass and are for my benefit. I think I could much more easily make it through the day with a little better foundation, however. Something to work on.
crb
Sometimes I think I'm building on the rock and then I realize it's more like those starfoam stage rocks that are used in cheap theatrical productions. I have to keep it real with God.
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