Firm Foundations

When we set out to build a house, there are several factors that we need to take into consideration.   First of all, we have to find the property where we want to build.  At some point in the process, we’ll need to take a soil sample to make sure we’re building on solid ground.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds 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 builds 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.-Matthew 7:24-27

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.-Luke 6:48

Once we have the house built, it becomes a place of safety for us during the storms.  Last year, we experienced our first hurricane since we moved to southwest Florida.  Unlike the thousands that evacuated the state, we decided to stay put and weather the storm out at our house.  Our home became a place of refuge and protection for us throughout the storm!

As we go through life, all of us will experience hurricanes in some form or another.  The point is, that if we decide to build our house on the sand instead of the rock, then we’ll probably going to be swept away in the storm.  None of us are exempt from the trials and tribulations that we experience while here.

Once we know the soil is good, we build a foundation.  The foundation must be strong enough to support the weight of the structure.

If you’ve ever stood on the shoreline of a beach at the place where the waves are breaking, you realize how unstable the sand can be!  The sand that you’re standing on washes away beneath your feet and then the wave hits you!   Without Christ in our lives, we can experience a similar experience.

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his, ” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”-2 Timothy 2:19

The analogy here is quite simple to understand, when it comes to building a house.  But what happens when we look at our lives?  Where are you building your spiritual house?  Is it on the rock (Christ), or are you building it on the sand?

The words of this song pretty much sum it all up for me:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame. But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand.  ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND! !!