JP43: A REFUGE IN ANY STORM: BUILDING YOUR LIFE ON AN UNSHAKEABLE FOUNDATION

A few years back, a tornado coursed within a mile of our house, lifting roofs off of places and causing millions of dollars in property damage.  While the damage was extensive, the twister failed to move a single home off its foundation.  

In the same way that building our physical homes on a solid foundation protects against violent storms, Jesus makes a way to build our spiritual house on an unshakeable, eternal foundation.

His plan provides refuge in this life and security for eternity beyond - even if the storm you’re in seems ready to cave the walls around you.

In the last of three closing statements to sum up the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a visual illustration of the difference between wise and foolish builders.  In doing so, He lovingly guides us down the path of eternal security.

“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.” (Mt 7:24–27).

Exercise Wisdom

According to Jesus, building well combines hearing and doing what He says into wise action.  In other words, wise people invite the teachings of Jesus into their life, allowing His ways to shape mind, body, and soul into the image of Jesus while maintaining our unique personalities and passions.

As we consider how to exercise the wisdom of Jesus, reviewing some of the fundamental teachings from Jesus' most famous sermon may help us start from solid footing.

Be peacemakers. - Matthew 5:9

Be merciful. - Matthew 5:7

Receive insults without response. - Matthew 5:11

Be salt and light. - Matthew 5:13-14

Turn the other cheek. - Matthew 5:38-39

Love your enemies. - Matthew 5:43-44

Give to the needy. - Matthew 6:2

Pray without pretense. - Matthew 6:5

Don't worry. - Matthew 6:25

Don't judge. - Matthew 6:7

Avoid The Path Of Folly

Avoiding the path of folly begins when we hear what Jesus says and consistently put those things into practice.

It's not enough that we accumulate knowledge of Jesus and His teachings.  Jesus says that hearing what He says and not putting those commands and principles into practice leads to destruction.

Shake The Eternal Consequences

Ultimately, Jesus will judge our lives on how we put into practice what we heard.  Peaceful refuge and eternal life await the wise builder, while exposure and eternal separation from the Father result from rejecting Jesus and his teachings.

Realize That Storms Blow On Everyone

Though rain falls on us all, we don't have to be defined by the storms raging around us.  People who follow Jesus become changed from the inside out and experience the spiritual fruit of abiding in Jesus.  As the anchor for our soul, the grace of Jesus holds us steady in every storm our broken world throws at us.

The foundation that Jesus is referring to is both spiritual and physical, present tense and eternal.  Aligning our lives with Jesus in this current age establishes a spiritual and material existence that extends into eternity by the grace He provides.  

Trusting in Jesus’ power to preserve and provide refuge leads to hope in any circumstance knowing that one day Jesus will welcome the wise builders into His eternal home.

Application:  How have you rejected or winked at Jesus' teachings and learned the hard way about walking on the shaky ground like me? What is one way you can become a wise builder and start building your life on the foundation of Jesus today?  

Prayer: Father, thank you for making way for me to build my house on an unshakeable, eternal foundation.  Give me a willing heart to both hear your words and put them into practice so that my life will stand on solid ground now and for all of eternity.

A Refuge In Any Storm: Building Your Life On An Unshakeable Foundation

1. Exercise Wisdom

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. Matthew 7:24

2. Avoid the Path of Folly

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. Matthew 7:26

3. Shake the Eternal Consequences

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:27

4. Realize That Storms Blow on Everyone

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 7:25

Photo by Nikolas Noonan on Unsplash