The Wise Man Built His House
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25
In the early days of building our church’s worship center, I got a fresh appreciation for how important a foundation is. The construction project was on schedule and within budget when, wham – we were broadsided by a major set-back. The structural engineer said that the steel supports needed to go deeper into the soil for more stability. Considering the cost (millions) and delay (months), we looked, without success, for a work-around but concluded the structural engineer was right, “going deeper is the only course if you want the building to stand under the pressure.”
Jesus knew good construction too. In Matthew 7, He reports on two building projects. One house, built on sand, gets flattened by a storm; the other, built on rock, stands strong despite the storm.
There isn’t anyone among us who hasn’t wondered if their life can withstand the pressure of storms.
” Will my confidence in Christ endure the weight of hard times? Will I still be walking with Him in 10 years?
” Can I be the husband and dad I need to be to lead my family through difficult seasons?
” Can I operate above reproach in my work – even under pressure from within and without?
It really depends, Jesus says. Is your foundation solid? The wise man who built his house upon the rock paid the cost and made the effort, and his house stood. Jesus called him, rock-solid: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (v. 24).
Notice that wisdom is not in the hearing and knowing; but it’s in the hearing and doing. We wonder, Will my life hold up under the pressure? Jesus answered, It depends. Will you listen up and live up to what Scripture says to do?
The world would divide us in a lot of different ways – by education, employment, economic status, racial diversity or social background. God’s Word divides us in two ways: the wise and the foolish.
Wise people hear the Word of God and do what it says.
Foolish people hear the Word of God but don’t do what it says.
Want to be wise? Get into God’s book. He promises that if you ask Him for wisdom He will give it (James 1:5). Get His wisdom now because God has never expected you to live a wise, fruitful, righteous life without His Word’s direction and His Spirit’s power in response to your obedience. Don’t go another day without God’s wisdom as your foundation. Get it because it will be what keeps your house standing no matter how fierce the storm.
© 2007 Walk in the Word.
On this day…
- Numbers 28 – 2024
- Numbers 27 – 2024
- The transformation of culture – 2012
- Nothing is as arrogant as ignorance – 2012
- He that is kind is free – 2012
- Your work in this life – 2012
- Practical atheism – 2012
- A deadly foe of spiritual growth – 2012
- Engraved you on the palms of Christ’s hands – 2012
- Do not cast away your confidence, for you have need of it – 2012
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