Whilst everything around us may be uncertain and unstable. The one constant in our lives is God.
Psalm 11:3-4 (NIV)
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
As we start another week in isolation in these strangest of times. It's really important for us to check our foundations. What are we really building our lives on? What really matters?
What is your foundation like?
Here are a few quotes to try and help provoke some thoughts around this topic:
"The most solid stone in the structure is the lowest one in the foundation."
Khalil Gibran
"If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own."
Charlotte Bronte
No successful builder would start building a house without first studying the architects plans.
But how often do we try a build something more complex, our lives, without consulting the plans? How often do we go on in life without checking what God has planned for us? It's important that we don't lose focus of God's plans in our lives, particularly in times like this. Far to often we try to veer of track and pursue something else that isn't meant for us.
What does God say in the scriptures?
Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceis 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.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
This passage of scripture speaks of two types of people, two types of foundation, two buildings and two different results when the flood comes.
Firstly the 'Wise builder' hears the words of God and puts them in to action. He built his house on foundations made of rock and when the storms came the house stood firm and didn't fall down.
Secondly the 'Foolish builder' heard the word of God but did nothing with it. He built his house on a foundation of sand and when the storms came the house 'fell with a crash'.
It's not enough for us to hear and understand the word of God. It must be turned in to action, our faith is a practical faith that requires us to live by the word of God (James 1v22-25). We need to strive to be like the 'Wise builder', when we hear the word of God it doesn't always mean it will be the easy road. It may of been much easier, much more financially viable or much less time consuming for the 'Foolish builder' to build his house on the sand but in the long run it turned out to be his downfall. Our lives are much like this, if we take the easy road and don't give God the time and focus that he deserves, if we don't build of foundations on the rock that is Jesus then ultimately our house will fall when the storm comes. It's even possible for our 'houses' to appear the same on the outside. Again, this draws us back to Jesus, our foundation is based one an intimate and personal relationship with Christ and is individual to each of us. If God is the only constant and unchanging part of our lives then what does it look like to base ourselves on anything but God? Think about what it is like to run on soft sand, your feet slip and it feels difficult to hold yourself up. The sand constantly shifts and moves and changes shape. No matter how hard you try to run the sand will always shift and this is just like the world, no matter how much trust or faith you put in something other than God it will always shift, change or let you down at some point. What happens to the 'Foolish builder' after the storm comes and his house is destroyed? All of a sudden he is out of protection, if another storm comes along he is left outside with nothing to shield him.
What have you put your hopes in? What have you built your life upon?
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (NIV)
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We need to make sure we build not only on the correct foundation but with the right materials. Our life represents the materials of the house. Do we live by the doctrines of grace? What are the key components of our life? Do prayer, scripture and love play a key part in what we do and who we are?
One day the building inspector (God) will examine our workmanship to see if we followed the architects plans. What will He see when the day comes?
Are you checking your life against the divine blueprints/plans on a daily basis by reading and studying Scripture?
Let’s recap about the Wise and Foolish builders:
BOTH HEAR.
BOTH UNDERSTAND.
BOTH FACE STORMS.
ONE SURVIVES THE STORM and stands firm– THE OTHER CRASHES and falls flat.
What is the difference? One lives by and acts on the words of Jesus – the other does not.
God’s word will not fail you.
The foundation for any Christian’s life is in the word.
It will make you firm in conviction and faithful in conduct.