Where is your foundation?

Scripture:  Matthew 7:24–8: 13

 

“ … 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:26-27

 

Observation:   Yeshua concludes his sermon with the words above.  He is saying if we don’t put these words (Matthew 5-7) into practice (not worrying, not judging, not being a true disciple, bearing good fruit, taking the narrow path, praying continually, giving to those in need, seeking his kingdom vs. an earthly one, following after His blessings and relying on Him for everything and having a right heart and love for our enemies), if we don’t put these words into practice, then when the trial come (not if, but when) then we will not be able to stand. 

 

Stephen Dray describes it like this, “Jesus described two groups of people. Both groups wanted to be disciples. But, only one group was willing to use God’s methods. The two buildings looked the same. Both groups wanted God to accept them. They both wanted to be members of his kingdom. They seemed to be similar. But, there were actually great differences. These were because of a different attitude to the word of God. One group heard what God said and did it. The other group only heard God’s word … To obey God is like when someone builds on a rock. This does not mean that there will be no troubles.”

 

We will only know true security when we build (or do) our lives based on Yeshua and HIS teachings.

 

Chapter 8 takes a turn and begins talking about the miracles of Jesus.  One of the first ones we read is on leprosy.  One commentator likens this to our problem with sin.  Like leprosy sin separates us from others and from God.  The second miracle deals with a Gentile or Roman Centurion who trusted Jesus, but did not feel “good enough” for Jesus (Yeshua) to come to his home.  He said: ‘Just say the word, and my servant will be well’ (verse 8) and Yeshua comforted the Centurion in his time of need and taught him important truths.

 

Application:  Where do we put our confidence?  Are we like the Centurion knowing and trusting in Christ alone?  Are we building our lives on Yeshua and his teachings – is this where we are placing confidence?  Let us not be hearers only, but building solid lives on trusting fully in Him.  How do we know if we are hearers or doers?  Will our lives be reflective of this truth; meaning, is there a way to know where we stand (rock or sand)?  I believe there is evidence in how we talk about our situations or how we handle them.  For my own life I can say I’ve seen evidences of both.  Times when I thought I was trusting and obeying, but then found myself sinking in the sand and having to realign my life with The Rock.  Today, I encourage you to check out your foundation.  We have to get this one right, folks, we have to! 

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word.  Again, we learn today how important it is for us to follow and do Your Word and not just to study and learn and listen to it.  We have to let it affect our lives.   Help us to do this even or especially when it is not easy to follow you.  Sometimes we (or I) can be hard headed and it takes longer to learn and sometimes it takes learning the hard way when “our house” is sinking in the sand in the midst of the storms that come.  Thank you for being there to help us pick up the pieces and giving us the grace and mercy to realign ourselves with Your teaching and to choose to build lives on You, our Rock.  Through Christ, our Teacher, I pray.  Amen & Amen.