Getting Started
Lately, one particular worship song has been popping up around me over and over again: Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Maverick City Music, Cody Carnes, and Chandler Moore. My friends have been singing it, church worship sets have been including it, and it just keeps getting stuck in my head. Part of the chorus says, “Christ is my firm foundation, the Rock on which I stand. When everything around me is shaking, I’ve never been more glad that I put my faith in Jesus.” The bridge goes on, “Rain came, wind blew, but my house was built on you.” The song is beautiful, but I really didn’t think much about it until I realized that the Gospel passage God had put on my heart for this very devotional – “The Wise and Foolish Builders,” from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount – is the exact teaching the song is based on.
Matthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “‘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. 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.”
Questions to Consider
-
What two building images does Jesus contrast in this teaching?
-
Why can’t a house built on sand withstand the elements?
-
How does the type of foundation beneath a house relate to the builder’s wisdom?
-
In what areas of life have you built upon an unsteady foundation, such as achievement, status, wealth, relationships, or acceptance?
-
What forces threaten your peace and stability? Insecurity? Worry? Challenging circumstances in this season? How might your experience of these factors be different if you built your foundation on God instead of on other things?
Closing Reflection
It is no secret that each of us will endure hardships in life. In fact, Jesus states in this illustration that “the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew.” Even in a hypothetical situation, Jesus acknowledges the reality that difficulty will come as surely as rain and wind will. This is the nature of life on Earth.
However, in the midst of this difficulty, God wants to be the rock-solid, unshakeable foundation that keeps us steady. Jesus is telling each of us “Build on me – I am the only thing that can keep you steady through life’s trials and sorrows.”
God, would you give us wisdom today to help us build our lives upon the strongest foundation of all: Christ Jesus, who works all things for our good, fights our battles on our behalf, and loves us more than we can even imagine. Amen.
Did you know that this year all of our Summer Devotionals are available as podcasts? Click here to listen to this episode.
