Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. – Matthew 7:24
In 1992, Florida experienced one of the most destructive hurricanes in recent history. Andrew caused damage in excess of $26 billion and many lives were imperiled. Those who went through it remember how many homes were destroyed because unscrupulous builders had ignored codes. Since then, Florida has taken additional actions to reinforce buildings to withstand the inevitable storms that hit that state.
Life comes with storms… and those who follow Christ are not exempted. You will eventually face some major episode that could strongly test your life and the way it has been constructed. The Bible contains God’s “building codes” for life. However, they do nothing if not followed. Pastor and author Dennis J. DeHaan said, “To build a godly life, let God be the architect and His Word the blueprint.” Adam Holz, an author at Our Daily Bread, said, “Christ doesn’t promise us that we’ll never face storms. But He does say that when He’s our rock, those storms and torrents will never wash away our faith-fortified foundation in Him.”
Paul wrote, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Theologian William MacDonald said, “If a person lives according to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, the world calls him a fool; Jesus calls him a wise man. The world considers a wise man to be someone who lives by sight, who lives for the present, and who lives for self; Jesus calls such a person a fool.” Be sure you are anchored to the Rock that cannot move. Hide your life in the Rock of Ages. Cling to the Lord daily, whether in the midst of the storms of your life or its calm. He is all you need.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 7:24
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 62
Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12 and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
