The other day I was reading in Matthew and came across this passage for the first time in quite a while:
“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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” --Matt. 7:24-27
The revelation of the depth and meaning of this passage crashed in on my heart as I was reading, totally unexpected. I realized that, my entire adult life, every time I've encountered that passage, I've kind of just rushed quickly by it, humming the childhood Sunday School song in my head. But this time, there was no rushing by.
The verses stopped me in my tracks.
"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. 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."
These days, there is some shaking in my life and the lives of many of those who I know and love. There are some rain and some thunder and some wind too, that are beating against my "house." When my eyes are on these circumstances, I am easily intimidated.
Are there storms in your life too? Circumstances that shake, intimidate, even threaten you?
What's the invitation of Jesus to us in the midst of the storms?
That our foundation would be on the ROCK... that in "hearing [His] words and putting them into practice," we would grow in wisdom, and be firmly grounded in Him. Jesus, our true Rock, is unshakable. IMMOVABLE, no matter what comes.
If we are wise, we will obey His words. If we are grounded in Him, we too will be immovable, no matter what comes.
I personally don't believe that being grounded in Him looks like NEVER feeling fear. Fear is a normal, human response to circumstances that are unknown or threatening. I do believe it looks like not giving in to fear.
Being firmly grounded in Him means that when we DO feel fear, we make the choice to turn our hearts and our eyes FROM our circumstances and TO the ONE who is greater than all of our unknowns, stronger than our fear, and absolutely, completely committed to our hearts.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
Father, we fix our eyes on You today. We turn our attention away from our circumstances and our unanswered questions, and we choose to trust You. May our hearts be deeply rooted in You today... grounded firmly in You as our Rock. You are our Strong Tower. We run into You and we are saved.
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 Rock
STOOD FIRM.
*What are some Bible verses or even songs that you learned as a child that have taken on a much deeper meaning to you now as an adult? What were the circumstances that God used to reveal those truths to your heart?
*What circumstances in your life are intimidating to you right now? How can I stand with you in prayer?
STOOD FIRM.
*What are some Bible verses or even songs that you learned as a child that have taken on a much deeper meaning to you now as an adult? What were the circumstances that God used to reveal those truths to your heart?
*What circumstances in your life are intimidating to you right now? How can I stand with you in prayer?
Be blessed today to be deeply rooted in Jesus, firmly grounded on the Rock.... no matter what comes.
(Related: For the Days When We Worry,
Love it Dana! Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteHey Cam, thanks for reading and commenting! :) Thank YOU for the encouragement. :) By the way, did you see the post from yesterday with the worship team pics? :) xo
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