STORM PROOFING YOUR LIFE
Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV
24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
These verses sum up one of Jesus' most famous sermons. Chapters 5-7 constitute the sermon on the mount. In these chapters, Jesus revealed some amazing truths that shook up the religious order of that day. And His words are still revolutionary today. Spiritual truth does not diminish with time.
According to Jesus, the person who hears His words and puts them into practice is considered a wise person. A wise person who built his house on the rock. Being wise is not a function of education or intellect. Wise, according to Jesus, is building a life based on His words.
When the storm hit the house built on the rock, the house stood firm. The foundation was strong, so the house was able to withstand the storm. In Luke's account of this example, Jesus mentions digging deep and laying the foundation on the rock. This would imply some effort. Digging deep without modern machinery is challenging.
The person who hears what Jesus has to say but does not act on His word is likened to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. It may be easier to build on the sand, but the foundation will not be nearly as strong as a house founded on rock.
When the storm hits the house built on sand, it does not stand. The rain, floods, and winds were too much for that house, and the fall was intense.
Jesus does not suggest that the storm that hit the two houses was different. The idea here is that the same storm hit both houses, but only one stood. Jesus also does not indicate that it was God who sent the storm. The storms in this life are due to living in a fallen world and our enemy Satan. It was not the storm that destroyed the one house. It was a weak foundation.
APPLICATION
I grew up hearing messages about building your house on the rock, and the rock was Jesus. I have no issue with that message as it pertains to salvation. Our salvation can not depend on our works or background but on the grace that's in Christ.
We can't stop there. When we put His words into practice in our lives, we build our lives on a strong foundation. When the storms blow against our relationships, health, and purpose in life, we need to be able to stand strong. I have experienced storms in my marriage, family, physical body, mental and emotional well-being, and finances. And add to that storms that hit the church. I am not trying to be negative, but storms do come. But God has shown us what we can do. We can't stop the storms from coming, but we can stop them from defeating us.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for Your timeless, eternal word that enables me to stand strong. Putting Your word into practice makes me stronger than the storms.