Rock Solid
Sometimes the storms in our lives can be pretty fierce. And sometimes the stormy seasons can last a very long time and shake us to our core! I have been facing some pretty brutal storms of late and they have reminded me that foundations are crucial to how well we survive the downpour!
There is a story in the Bible that I learned as a child in Sunday School. The story goes like this: The wise man built his house upon a rock and it was able to stay standing during a storm. The foolish man, however, built his house upon the sand and it crumbled when the storm hit. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Why did one house survive the storm while the other house fell apart? Afterall, we really don’t know what blueprint or materials each of the builders used. However, I believe that what made one house stand and the other fall was not the skill of the builder, nor even the materials used, but the foundation on which the homes were built.
I believe the wise man was wise because he knew what could save him through any raging storm. He knew it wasn’t strong beams or carefully laid plans. He knew that only with God as his foundation could he survive the storms that threatened to topple him over. Thus, he dug his foundation down deep into God’s Truth. He put in the work ahead of time to ensure that his foundation was rock solid. And I bet that even after the house was finished, he remained a dedicated student of God’s word.
I like to imagine that the wise man not only had a secure house, but that he was also able to experience God’s peace during the storm because he knew he had such a strong foundation. I have learned that when storms come, and circumstances seem harsh or to make no sense at all, we can trust what God tells us in His word. We can know that God is good and that He is working in the storms. We can trust Him to accomplish His purposes for us. We must cling to the fact that He is faithful to His promises. Peace soars when we know we are firmly grounded in Him.
Storms test foundations and reveal their true strength. We need to remind ourselves often of who God is and what He has already done for us so that we can have courage when storms arise. When storms hit, we can put our trust in God, expressing our assurance that He is in control and more than able to take care of us. We must grasp tightly to Him and refuse to loosen our grip! We need to make sure that our foundation is firmly established in the only One who rules over the storms.
“I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-3)
