Therefore anyone 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

Days passed. The contractors appeared busy but had little to show for their activities. Measuring, surveying, leveling, digging and pouring cement consumed their time. They were laying a foundation, and the cement piers had to be deep and secure before the floors, walls, and ceiling went up.

Jesus used this same building process to illustrate an important point. He’d just covered a wide variety of life-lessons for his followers: the dangers of judging others, discerning what to share and with whom, and an exhortation to ask God for what you need. Jesus then proclaims that everything taught the Old Testament books of the law and the prophets could be summarized in this one phrase, do unto others what you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12.)

Jesus continues teaching before arriving at His foundation analogy. He warns His followers that a small gate leads to life, but the road that leads to destruction is wide. He then concludes with a warning about false prophets in sheep’s clothing. All of these admonitions bring Him to His concluding point identified by the word “therefore.” Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock (Matt. 7:24.) When the storm of life came this house stood. The one built on sand fell with a great crash.

God’s Word provides all the wisdom and guidance we need to live a life built on a strong foundation, one that will withstand the storms of life. His teachings define that small gate through which we can find life, true life.

Father, thank You that Your Words bring life. I ask that You provide the strength and the commitment to put them into practice so that my faith will stand when the storms of life blow.

Linda L.