“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Luke 6:47
After reading the above scripture, I was reminded of the song below which we sang as children. I thought about how blessed I’ve been to have had “strong-in-the Lord” pastors whose uncompromising messages from God’s Word have helped strengthen my spiritual foundation. Through personal time with the Lord—regular prayer time, Bible studies, small groups, mission trips, Christian music, and serving in special ministries with others of like mind, God has put His Word into my heart so that I might steadily develop a stronger spiritual foundation, held firmly and securely by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Good News today is that God is always working to shape our faith and change us in such a way that our spiritual foundation will remain strong and unshakable. If we ask and allow Him to, He will strip us of those unsightly hindrances that would prevent us from growing in our faith. He will take them to the recycling center of His love and make us someone who more closely resembles Himself, and someone who will not be ashamed or afraid of sharing the Good News with others as often as He allows.
Abiding in Jesus—remaining steadfast and confident in Him, taking advantage of the tools He provides for our spiritual growth, and living a focus-centered life in Christ will enable us to stand strong on our spiritual foundation through every season and every circumstance that lies ahead. I will always be a work in progress, but am so thankful for His love and care throughout my lifetime. I owe Him a debt I can never repay, but thanks be to God, Jesus loved me enough to pay that debt for me.
The ground is level at the foot of the Cross and our heavenly Father will always meet us there. He is the rock on which we stand. He is ready and so very willing to help you and me begin or continue building a strong and lasting spiritual foundation.
The Wise Man and the Foolish Man
Ann Omley, 1948
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
The wise man built his house upon the Rock,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
But the house on the Rock stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
The foolish man built his house upon the sand,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the house on the sand fell flat.
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
And the blessings will come down.
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings come down as your prayers go up,
So build your life on the Lord.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us to strengthen our foundation of faith in Christ every day. Forgive us when we fail to honor You as we should and help us to live each day according Your principles. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
