We are learning much about the importance of foundations in our lives during this pandemic. As we enter the eighth week of this crisis, the foundation of our lives is being revealed and tested.
Foundations for a building are essential to the overall integrity of a structure. With a literal house, it is unwise to build on sand, because the foundation will be unsteady and the house will eventually suffer some kind of damage. This will waste resources, and all the time and work put into building the house in the first place will have been for nothing. In contrast, it is wise to build one’s house on a sure foundation; anchoring to bedrock makes a building withstand the test.
Similarly, the foundation for our lives is key to withstanding how to weather the storms that will come in life. Jesus told a story about two men: one who built his house upon a rock and another who built his house upon sand. The house built upon a rock weathered the storm, and the builder is called wise; but the house built on the sand collapsed during the storm, and the builder is called foolish. (Matthew 7:24–27)
The meaning of this parable is quite obvious: proper foundations are necessary. But Jesus’ sermon was not concerned with house construction or building code violations. The spiritual meaning of the parable is found in verse 24: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” We are each building a life. The proper foundation for a life is Jesus’ words—not just the hearing of them, but the doing of them, too (see James 1:22).
It seems at times that everything in the world is set up to make us turn away from God’s words. And often, our own feelings pull us toward doing the exact opposite of what the Bible says. But a wise man will follow the words of God despite these pressures because he trusts God
As we follow the Lord, learning to trust and obey Him, we receive a reward: our “house” is solid and unshaken by circumstances. The wise man is the believer whose life is built upon the Rock of Christ; in this world he has faith and hope, and in the next, everlasting life and love (see 1 Corinthians 13:13).
Join us this Sunday as we more fully develop this thought in the message, Foundations For Living.
Pastor Barry Risto
Lead Pastor