Build Your House on the Rock
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
If we build our houses on solid foundations then they will stand against the forces of nature. And, if we build our lives on Christ we will stand against the forces of Satan. If our houses are built on solid foundations they may not stand all forces of nature. But, if our lives are built on Christ we have the promise of God that, through Christ, we can overcome the forces of evil and reap eternal life.
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 7:24, Jesus tells people to put the foundation of their lives on Him. 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. (Matthew 7:24) When storms occur in our lives, we run to the Lord for his divine guidance and strength to carry us through to our eternal home. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) Christ has overcome the world, and through Christ in us we, too, have overcome the world. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. (1 John 5:4) There is no storm too big that the Lord cannot carry us through. He gives us his wisdom and strength to endure and overcome anything this world puts in our paths. This is the promise of God because all things are possible through him. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:26-27) For those who do not put their faith in Christ, but instead put their faith in things of the world, they will eventually fall. Eternal life only comes through Christ. Without faith in Christ all will fall from eternal life just as Satan and his angels fell from heaven into eternal death. Satan wants us to put our faith in his lies about our eternal lives. Satan also wants our faith to be in things of the world. Things such as money, power, and possessions, which can all disappear in a flash. He wants us to put our faith in anything except God’s truth.
Christ is the only one who can carry us through life to overcome the world, and into eternal life in Heaven. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Build your foundation on the Word of God and walk in obedience to his good, pleasing, and perfect, loving will.
Today, strengthen your foundation in Christ by obeying the word of God. If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15) Obeying the Lord reveals our love through faith, and reaps the blessings of God in our lives, as he molds us to the mind and heart of Christ.
Let’s pray: Lord, help me to build my foundation on Christ, and not to depend on things from this world. Guide me in the Spirit to become dependent and secure in Christ. Keep molding me to be Christ-like and to overcome the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.