Importance of strong foundation
In 7:25, you will discover why it’s so critical to build on the strong foundation. Jesus says,“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” Just look at the word “and” in 7:25. Jesus does not say “if the rain falls” or “if the floods come” or “if the winds blow.” He says, “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house” (italics mine). Jesus tells you clearly that storms will come and you will not be spared! And if you’ve walked with Christ for any length of time, you’ve observed that people who hear and do the words of Jesus have the very same crisis in their lives that people have who don’t do His words. Obedience to Christ does not mean rain, floods and winds will not visit. Anyone who tells you that the Christian life is all sunny days has told you a lie. Any way, the storms are what test us. Living in the sunshine of life doesn’t tell us much about ourselves. Anybody can build a house that will stand firm when the sun is shining and the wind is still. It is the storms that reveal the strength of your foundation. When you build on the rock you must expect storms, because only storms can show your wisdom to the world around you.
Sometimes the storm come in as you are pushed by sickness or the fear of death. You may develop a nagging injury that refuses to heal. Maybe you’re beginning to feel your age and this discourages you to no end. Times like these reveal the foundations of your life.
Sometimes the storm is a serious personal loss. You may lose a job that not only provides income but also provides you with self-esteem and personal security. Your carefully made investments but it stopped giving you returns you expected. When you realize that you cannot depend on the thought you can depend on, everything in your life can come tumbling down and you see the faulty foundations of your life exposed.
In many cases, your foundation can be tested by prosperity. Prosperity comes like a gentle mild rain. At first you’re convinced it will make your life nice and comfortable. But when prosperity keeps coming, it can develop into a large destructive force as damaging as a storm. What you gain, not what you lose, often serves as the supreme test of your foundation. More men and women have been knocked off their spiritual foundation by wealth.
In 1999, Super cyclone destroyed thousands of homes in Orissa. One area I visited after the cyclone, I found the whole place completely devastated but in the midst of this one house remained standing, still firmly on its foundation. I realized, this house had a strong foundation and therefore the cyclone could not demolish it.
When personal storms come, many lives will be destroyed and left in shambles. Most people don’t build on the foundation of God’s word. But if you construct your life according to the building plan of Jesus, you will not be disappointed. While obedience to Jesus’ words is not a protection from the troubles; it is a protection in the troubles. Your life may be shaken but it will not collapse and be swept away. I want to encourage you: All the time that you are investing in laying your biblical foundation will pay off. Building on the rock is the best flood insurance you can invest in. Storms will come and go. But, if you’ve built your life on the foundation of Christ, you have nothing to fear. A storm will only demonstrate the stability of your foundation.
Does the house of your life have a rock? Have you built your life on a strong foundation? We all need the rock. Without the rock, we would all just roll away. Place your faith in Jesus Christ today. If you’ve already placed your faith in Him continue to grow in Him. Base your life on God’s word. Read and meditate on God’s word, be involved in the church, invest your time, energy and money in the church.
Excerpt from the sermon notes of Dr. Sanjay Patra - Crossway - 22nd July 2018.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com
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