Before buying a house, many people hire a realtor. The realtor helps them to find a house that matches their needs. I can remember the day when my wife and I first looked at the house that we would buy. In a way, seeing different things about the house reminded me of Christ.
WARNING: UNEVEN GROUND
There we were, walking up to the house and I could not help but noticing the two concrete steps that led to the front door. The two steps and the small area where you stand just before the door had sunk down into the ground at a great slope away from the house. The realtor had mentioned that this was quite normal for the entire county because the ground in the area all has a base of clay.
We bought the house despite the condition of the small slanting porch. But, if I were in a position to build a house and choose the plot to build on, it definitely would not be on clay. In fact, Jesus shared an illustration about this very thing. Let’s take a look at the story He told in Matthew 7:
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (vv. 24-25).
Notice, Jesus is speaking about a characteristic of a wise person; a wise man always builds his house on the rock. Why? Because, without a doubt, rain is going to come, floods will rise, and winds will increase. The house that is built on the rock will not fall because its foundation is a solid and the firm ground underneath can stand against any storm.
CHRIST THE FIRM FOUNDATION
The Lord Jesus is our Rock. He is that very secure foundation for the house that is built on it. The house is a picture of our life. We are building a house with every moment we live. If we focus on the Rock, there are a few things we can notice and take to heart about Him.
Unlike my concrete steps in front of my house, the Lord Jesus is the only sure and true foundation. We can rest assured that putting our faith in Christ no matter what the storm, will prove to build a solid house here and for all eternity. He is unchanging and faithful.
Also, we can be thankful that the Lord gives us a chance and urges us with welcoming arms to build on the only true foundation. He wants us to take advantage of the security that He offers. —Shane Mirabella
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake. (John Keene)
Originally published at Powered Youth. Used with permission.