ALL IN – A SOLID FOUNDATION
"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."
Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)
Two people can walk through a painful or tragic thing and yet respond entirely differently. Their response is determined by their temperament, maturity and attitude, sure, but I would submit that the greatest factor is what their foundation is. If your foundation is Jesus, you tend to walk through things differently. If it's something else like comfort, success, peace, love or a variety of other good things, your foundation won't be strong enough to withhold the storms of life. In fact, in many ways, the storms of life reveal how strong our foundations are. It reveals what our lives are built upon. It reveals how central faith and Jesus are in our lives. If a storm can cause you to walk away from the faith entirely, then Jesus was never your foundation. He could have been a part of your life but not the center. That's why Jesus could withstand the critics, the disappointments, the hurts, those close abandoning Him because He modeled what a life built on the right foundation looks like.
I have never once rejoiced in sufferings or storms, but I have rejoiced that those storms reveal that my faith is real. Let that encourage some of you who are walking through a difficult time. The fact that you are here, didn't give up, and are still seeking God proves that you are building on the right foundation. Trust that and keep running after Him. He is so faithful. The thing about building the right foundation is it's a continual thing. Notice the verse above says, "anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish." This implies that our foundation needs to be strengthened and built up each day, and the only way you do that is by drawing near to God and obeying His Word. When you go all in with Jesus daily, you are building a solid foundation that God will use in a mighty way! Keep drawing near and keep trusting Him!
APPLICATION: The fact that you are still seeking God in the storm proves your faith is real!
PRAYER: Thank God that He walks with us in the storms. Thank God that He will never leave or forsake us. Ask God to strengthen your faith! Ask Him to help you run after Him today with all your heart.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?