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 … It did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matt. 7:24-25
Storms of hurricane proportion have swept through our nation and the world this past year, causing massive destruction – physical, financial, emotional, mental, economical, and relational. Strength to withstand life’s most horrific storms will require you to follow the Master Builder’s instructions, being a doer and not just a hear of God’s Word.
After Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He concludes by saying, “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: 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. 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: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matt. 7:24-27
Prior to saying this, Jesus had just instructed HIs followers, how HIs kingdom operated and how they were called to live within it. He not only taught on many subjects including justice, care for those in need, judging other people, salvation and so much more, but He also described how they were to mirror God’s heart, carrying forth His character and values into all of their doing. Without prayer none of this would be possible, so Jesus taught them how to pray as He did, for God’s Kingdom and will to be done on this earth just as it is in heaven. (See Matthew 5-7 for the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer)
About a month ago, my husband shared the below photo with me. it is a great illustration of Jesus’ concluding words to His Sermon on the Mount.
Ike, a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 143 miles per hour, almost totally destroyed Gilchrist, Texas, in 2008. Amidst the massive destruction caused by the surging waves and deadly winds stood a yellow house. How was this house able to stand, while miles of other houses and buildings on the same side of town were flattened? The owners were wise. After Hurricane Rita destroyed their beach home in 2005, they made the brave decision to rebuild in the same place. But, this time with the painful reminders of the past, they built their new home with the ability to withstand the strongest type of hurricane, a Category 5. The work began with a storm-resistant foundation. Strong sturdy columns emerged from this foundation supporting their home built 22 feet above sea level.
God desires for you to be wise, building your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the solid rock. In order to do this, you need to be not just a hearer of the Word, but a doer of the Word. It is in the doing, the applying and living out of God’s Word, His teachings and His instructions, that a firm unshakeable foundation of faith is built that can withstand the storms of life.
It doesn’t mean that you are a perfect doer, but rather that you have set you heart to obey, abiding in His unchanging grace – clothed in His righteousness and not your own – for your salvation. Take a moment to listen to this beautiful hymn, which will give you the strength to stand in Jesus Christ, The Solid Rock, when the fiercest of storms strike.
Standing on Christ, the Solid Rock,
Sue Burdullis