Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27
21 "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the
kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty
works
in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you;
depart
from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Every one then who hears these words
of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon
the rock; 25 and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds
blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been
founded on the rock. 26 And every one who hears these words of
mine
and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house
upon
the sand; 27 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."
Meditation: What kind of foundation are you building your
life on? When Jesus told the
story
of the builders he likely had the following proverb in mind: When
the
storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm
for
ever (Proverbs 10:25). What’s the significance of the story
for
us? The kind of foundation we build our lives upon will determine
whether we can survive the storms that are sure to come. Builders
usually
lay their foundations when the weather and soil conditions are at their
best. It takes foresight to know how a foundation will stand up against
adverse conditions. Building a house on a flood plain, such as a
dry river-bed, is a sure bet for disaster!
Jesus prefaced his story with a warning: We may fool others with our speech, but God cannot be deceived. He sees the heart as it truly is – with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices (Psalm 139:2). There is only one way in which a person’s sincerity can be proved, and that is by one’s practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we must choose between what is true or false, and good or evil. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it will cost you? Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will cause you pain or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable before God, neighbor, and oneself. Such a person's word can be taken as trustworthy. What can keep us from falsehood and disaster? If we make the Lord and his word the rock and foundation of our lives, then nothing can shake us or keep us from God's saving presence and help. Is the Lord Jesus and his word the sure foundation of your life?
"Lord Jesus, you are the only foundation that can hold us up when trials and disaster threaten us. Give me the wisdom, foresight, and strength of character I need to do what is right and good and to reject whatever is false and contrary to your will May I be a doer of your word and not a hearer only."
Psalm 79:1-5,8-9
1 O God, the heathen have come into thy inheritance; they have
defiled
thy holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
2 They have given the bodies of thy servants to the birds of the air
for food, the flesh of thy saints to the beasts of the earth.
3 They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem,
and there was none to bury them.
4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those
round about us.
5 How long, O LORD? Wilt thou be angry for ever? Will thy jealous wrath
burn like fire?
8 Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let
thy compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low.
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins, for thy name's sake!