When I was a child, I learned a song at church. They lyrics went something like this:
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
And the walls came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the house on the sand went splat.
The wise man built his house upon a rock.
And the house on the rock stood firm.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
But the house on the rock stood firm.
The song is based on Matthew 7: 24-27 (NLT), "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 flood waters 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."
What is Jesus saying in this passage? He is telling us that He is the rock upon which we must build our house/our life. He is our firm foundation. He is our cornerstone. When we build our beliefs or place our faith in anything besides Him, we don't have a foundation that will last.
How do we build upon the solid rock? Aside from the obvious things of reading God's Word, the Bible, praying, and leading others to faith in Christ, there is so much more. We must live our faith. Being a Christian isn't something we say, it's something we are! It's a lifestyle.
If you are a believer and a parent, you have a responsibility to teach your children how to build a house on the rock. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV), "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of
some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the
Day approaching."
I've lived long enough to witness young parents who thought it wasn't any big deal to allow their children to be involved in activities that kept them out of church; traveling sports teams, days on the lake, sleeping in, whatever the reason. I've also witnessed these same children grow up and stop going to church. The parents then came to church with their teary-eyed prayer requests for their children who had no regard for the Lord or church. They were so burdened for their wayward kids. What did they expect? They are the ones who taught them that going to church was optional, not a priority! They didn't build their house upon the rock, or teach their children how to do the same. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, but not going says a lot about where your priorities lie and your lack of commitment.
Are you building a sand castle or a fortress? Sand castles are deceptive. They are fun to build. You can shape them into anything you want them to be. But, when the tide comes in and the waves crash against them, they wash away. Building a fortress takes years of diligence and perseverance. You will get tired of working and take rests, but get right back to the task, knowing that the end result is a strong house that cannot be destroyed. It's worth the time and effort required.
Don't settle for something temporary, when eternity is at stake.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the dearest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
Pam Archer
Women's Ministry Director
