“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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But 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 7:24-27 NIV
Years ago, someone told me that her pre-teen daughter said she is envious of her Christian friends because they have a foundation that her family doesn’t have.
I don’t remember my exact response then, but now I have the best reply: Your daughter doesn’t have to be envious of her friends who know Jesus Christ because He wants your daughter to know Him too! Jesus wants to have a close relationship with every human that ever existed. And He has laid the foundation for all humankind to have that intimate relationship, a strong foundation, with Him. God longs to be reconciled to us, so He made a way through the sacrifice of His Son (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). All we have to do is accept Jesus Christ’s free gift of salvation and then follow Him to Heaven (John 3:16-17).
The Bible talks about the Church being the Bride of Christ. The Bible also says that Jesus Christ is the Church’s one foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). In Matthew 7:24-27, we read about a man who built his house on a rock, which was a stronger foundation compared to the man’s house that was built on sand. When the wind and rain showed up, it devastated the house whose foundation was sand. But the house built on the rock stood strong. I believe that the winds and rain represent the trials and tragedies of life. We cannot survive these storms without Jesus Christ.
The house built on the rock represents a person whose faith is built on a relationship with Jesus Christ. When the storms of life threaten us, we will not be shaken and we will not be moved. No matter how strong our devastating circumstances are, we know that our God is stronger, and He will work everything together for our good because we love Him (Romans 8:28). However, if we build our house on metaphorical sand, the Bible says that when our foundation is tested, it will easily collapse and deteriorate into nothing. This will leave us broken beyond repair unless we reach out to God and ask Him to help us build our life on Him. Good news: God is in the restoration business! He knows how to take a broken life and make it into a beautiful testimony. God knows how to put us back together and make us stronger and better than before when we trust Him and let Him lead us.
When we’ve built our house on the rock of Jesus Christ, we can support someone who is facing life without Him. We can kindly introduce them to the Savior who loves them with all of His Heart and share our stories about how God brought us through difficulties. If you do not yet know Jesus for yourself, be comforted because He wants you to know Him! Consider joining a Bible-based, Holy Spirit-led church where the pastors preach sound theology then get involved in the ministries. Feast on spiritual food by reading and studying God’s Word (The Holy Bible). Talk to God in prayer like you’d talk to a close friend. Jesus wants to be your friend forever, and that bond begins while we’re still living on Earth after you answer the door He’s knocking on and let Him into your heart (Revelation 3:20). Only you can let Jesus into your heart. Nobody else can do it for you. God doesn’t have any group tickets to Heaven. You get in based on your faith in Him and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The good news is that it’s not hard to know Jesus as your Savior! He’s ready and willing. We just need to seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).
Three songs encouraged my heart as I wrote today’s message: “The Church’s One Foundation” (hymn), “Upon This Rock” by Allison Durham Speer, and “In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock” by Travis Cottrell. Finally, the “Check Your Foundation” (episode 179) on The Autumn Miles Show podcast helped me write this message.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, Thank You for sending Your Son to save us. Please help us to build a sure foundation of faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, not the sinking and shifting sands of this life. Lead us. Guide us. Protect us. Deliver us from evil and help us to make it home to You in Heaven. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Cameron Prins
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Originally published Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
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