Foundation on the Rock

Date: August 3, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: Matthew 7:24-27 "24 Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Dear Lord, as I read Your words, help me not only to hear them but to truly understand and apply them in my life. Guide me to build my life on the firm foundation of Your teachings, so I can withstand the storms that come my way. Amen.

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The passage is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He delivered a powerful message filled with teachings about living a righteous and faithful life. Jesus emphasizes the importance of not only hearing His teachings but also putting them into practice. He uses the analogy of building houses on different foundations to illustrate the difference between a wise person who follows His teachings and a foolish one who doesn't. The rock symbolizes a firm foundation of obedience to God's Word, leading to stability and endurance in the face of trials, while the sand represents a weak foundation of neglecting His words, leading to a crumbling life when challenges arise.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: 

Wise man, foolish man, house on the rock, house on sand, rain, streams, winds, fall with a great crash. Explanation: The key words and phrases highlight the contrast between two kinds of builders and the consequences of their choices. Building on the rock represents obedience to God's teachings, leading to resilience and strength, while building on sand represents disobedience, resulting in vulnerability and destruction.

S - Summarize and Share: 

Jesus tells this incredible story about two builders—one wise and the other, well, not so much. The wise builder, he listens to Jesus' teachings, takes them to heart, and builds his house on a solid rock. When the rain pours, the streams rise, and the winds blow, that house stands tall and firm—unyielding to the storms.

But then, there's the foolish builder, not so attentive to Jesus' words. He builds his house on soft, unstable sand. And when the same fierce storm comes knocking, that house? It crashes down, leaving nothing but rubble and despair.

I can totally relate to this story. There have been times in my life when I thought I was strong enough to handle anything without God's guidance. I neglected His teachings and built my life on the sands of self-reliance and worldly advice. But oh, how wrong I was!

When the storms hit—those inevitable challenges we all face—the house of my life started trembling. My inner strength felt weak, and I realized that I wasn't as unshakeable as I thought. It's like the storm had the power to wipe me out completely. It was terrifying and humbling.

But here's the beautiful part. The more time I spend in God's Word and let it shape my choices, the more I understand the importance of building my life on the rock—on Jesus' teachings and God's unchanging truth. The storms still come; life's struggles are real, but now I have something solid to cling to.

I find myself seeking God's guidance, holding onto His promises, and trusting in His unfailing love. When the storms blow, my heart may tremble, but my faith stands firm on that rock. I know I'm not alone, and I have a secure shelter—a foundation that can weather any storm. God's Word brings peace, hope, and unwavering strength when I need it most.

Let's journey together in seeking God's wisdom, applying His teachings, and building our lives on that rock-solid foundation. When the storms of life come knocking, we'll stand strong—knowing that we have the One who calms the storm right there with us. Let's embrace His Word, find our peace in Him, and watch how we can stand tall, even amidst the fiercest storms.

Bible Cross References:

Luke 6:47-49 "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete."

Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."

Isaiah 28:16 "So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.'"