BUILDING A FOUNDATION
“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)
People build their lives on all kinds of things: bank accounts, athletic achievements, academic accolades or social status. None of these things are inherently evil. But when we make them our foundation, our reason for living, our idol, then we’ve clearly displaced Jesus from the center of our lives.
In these final verses from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly distinguishes between those who follow His teachings and those who don’t. For those who build on Jesus as the foundation, there’s nothing to fear when the rain beats down and the floodwaters rise. But for those who have rejected Jesus’ way, an unenviable and inevitable end is in store—calamitous collapse.
One thing that’s always stood out to me from this passage is that the storms of life come for both groups. Following Jesus doesn’t exempt you from going through difficulty. In fact, Jesus assured us that as we follow Him, we will experience hardship and opposition (see John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:8).
How have you fared during previous storms in your life? If you’re in one right now, how’s your foundation holding up? Are you standing firm upon Jesus? Or are the things of this world you depended on causing you to crumble?
APPLICATION: Take a few moments to take stock of your life in this season. Can you honestly say that you’re building on the foundation that is Christ and His teachings? If not, what’s taking His place? What step do you need to take to bring Jesus into His rightful place? Ask God to show you.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Help me build my life upon Him and His teachings. Grant me the conviction to cast down any idol that has taken His place of priority in my life. Sustain me, God, as only You can. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?