Building on The Rock
Monday, August 14
Building on The Rock
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24
Though I am not an architect, I do recognize the vital role of foundations in ensuring a building’s strength and resilience. A robust foundation enables the structure to endure the harshest weather conditions and external forces. Conversely, a weak foundation can lead to the collapse of the building, especially under severe circumstances. In Matthew 7, Jesus imparts a profound yet straightforward lesson. He teaches us that when we hear His words and apply them in our lives, we are constructing our house on a solid rock.
And that literally means to do what He had told us in the Scripture, despite how hard it can be.
If He told us to forgive, we are to practice forgiveness every time we feel offended. If He told us to bless those who curse us, we are to follow His words, no matter how we feel. Responding to His commands ensure that we are indeed building a solid foundation. On the other hand, when we just hear His words and never put them into practice, we are actually building our house on sand.
“But why is it?” you may ask. Why is it not enough just to know the truth in our hearts but necessary to practice it to have a solid life in Christ? I believe that our behavior either springs forth from our own ideas about life, or from the word of God.
Our ideas may not be bad, but they are not necessarily rooted in God’s truth and that’s why they have no power or strength to withstand the storms of life. That’s why, if we see that in some areas of our life our foundation is constantly sinking like sand, it is time to examine the foundation on which that area of life is built on. If we struggle with relationships, money, the temptation to judge others, or something completely different, now is the time to check the foundations on which we have built our ‘house’.
Jesus never just advised us to do what He had said, but He told us to put His words into practice, if we are to have solid foundations in life. May I encourage you today to ask the Lord to show you those foundations you are building your ‘house’ upon. And when you realize they are not rooted in God’s word, may He give you strength to let go of your own ideas and put into practice what He says in the Scripture.
Prayer for today: Thank you Lord, for all that you have done for me – for showing me such love and for dealing with my sin so comprehensively. You are amazing! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.