Farmville Enterprise November 7, 2018
The gospel writers of Matthew and Luke describe Jesus telling a parable about the wise and foolish builders. “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 steams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27) In life the storms are inevitable; we all will face some at least one time or another. It is important to have a strong foundation in order to remain secure through these difficulties. By obeying the teachings of Christ we are building our houses on the rock, who is God.
“He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (Deut. 32:40) “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God.” (1 Sam. 2:2) “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” (2 Sam. 22:2) “For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the rock except our God?” (2 Sam. 22:32) “I love you, Lord, my strength. 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.” (Psalm 18:1-2) “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (Psalm 18:30-32)
Some of our most beloved hymns remind us of the only trustworthy foundation for our lives and for the church. For over 150 years Christians have sung these lyrics by Edward Mote: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” From Rippon’s Selection of Hymns we find, “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word. What more can he say than to you he hath said- to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.”
Finally, Samuel J. Stone writes, “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is his new creation, by water and the word; from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; and by his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.” If we obey Christ’s teachings we as individuals and the church will be like the wise builder, making our foundation the ever-faithful rock.
celiastone 