Matthew 7:24-29
Today we come to the last in our series on the Sermon on the Mount. In our previous devotionals we have seen how Jesus constantly challenged the mindset and motives of people who were earthly-minded, self-righteous and glory-seeking as He presented them with the culture of God’s kingdom. In today’s passage He sums up His teaching with this well-known parable of the wise and foolish builders.
In the parable, the “house” that each builder is building is his life and the foundations are the thoughts and attitudes of his heart. The storms represent the challenges and difficulties that we all experience as we go through our lives. Jesus’ story shows that it is possible to build either a strong, resilient life, or one that will fall apart when trouble comes along. Before we go further you might like to consider how your life has been so far? How well do you cope with problems such as losing your job, being betrayed by a friend, or a loved one falling sick? Are you able to stay peaceful and confident when you face a crisis? Or do you feel anxious and fearful, angry, overwhelmed or depressed?
Jesus tells us in these verses how to build a life that will stand strong when these kind of challenges come along. The key is not just to hear His words (both builders in His story did that!) but to put them into practice. The person who takes what the Lord says seriously, and who is willing to change their thinking and behaviour to line up with His instruction, is the one who will have strong foundations.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.”
If we live according to the thinking and values of this world we will find we have nothing to sustain us in times of trouble. But when we live for the Lord and make His kingdom our priority we will have a peace and a joy that the world cannot take away. What kind of life have you been building? Putting in new foundations takes time, but the more value we put on the ways of God’s kingdom the less the things of this earth will shake us. I can vouch for the fact that living His way is best. Why not try it and see?
Prayer
Lord God,
I thank You for the scriptures, which tell us how to live lives that are secure, peaceful and productive in this uncertain world. Please help me to put into practice the things You have been teaching me through the Sermon on the Mount so that my old thought and behaviour patterns are replaced by new ones that reflect the culture of Your kingdom. Thank You that as I choose to live according to Your will, You will work in and through me by Your Holy Spirit enabling me to respond rightly to the pressures and provocations of the world around me. Help me to live a life that glorifies You.
Amen.
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