“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,…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,…and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27.
You’re probably familiar with the Leaning Tower of Pisa; a freestanding bell tower built on soft soil unable to support its weight. Through failed efforts to correct its leaning, the tower resulted in a tilt of 3.97. Ironically, the soft soil saved the tower from collapsing during an earthquake. Much restoration has been done to keep the iconic tower upright.
Buildings need a strong foundation to survive. Hope will only survive with a
foundation built on Jesus Christ. In our key verse, we see Paul wasn’t an expert builder of foundations. Rather, his expertise was preparing hearts for the foundation of Jesus Christ leading to everlasting life with Him. This is exactly what the psalmist instructed us to do.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:81.
You may not have this problem. I tend to fix things likened to the continuous repairs to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. God desires my obedience; not my help. I must put my hope in Him.
Edward Mote was a carpenter, minister, and musician. Walking to work one morning he wrote the text for the only hymn he’d ever write; completing the chorus and finishing four stanzas by day’s end. His words, “On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,” mirror Paul’s words in Matthew 7.
Visiting a friend whose wife was sick, Mote was asked to sing. Without a hymnal, he reached in his pocket, took the words he’d written earlier, and sang. Her overwhelming response stirred Mote to make 1,000 copies of his hymn and distribute them to his friends. God desires my obedience; not my help. I must put my hope in Him. The hymn says:
“…When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
Living through life’s crises can easily shake our foundation if it’s built on sinking sand. When water hits sand, it doesn’t collapse immediately. Continuous water washes sand away. Continuously ignoring the Lord’s prompting washes away sweet fellowship with Him. Unexpected flooding overpowers His prompting. He’s proven He’s the Solid Rock over and over.
Is Jesus your hope and stay? Is your foundation the Solid Rock? If not, Ask Him to: Be my foundation. Confess: I’ve made a mess. Repent: I give my control to you, Lord. Yield: You are my foundation of hope!
Until We Meet Again:
1.If you have questions concerning my last paragraph? Contact me: judy@imprfectlygrand.com
2. If you have an imperfect grand you want me to pray for or talk with
Go to my Prayer Concerns and leave me your contact information. THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND YOU.
3. Stand on the solid Rock. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Take Care Because God and I Care,
Judy
