DEVOTION – DAY 559

Matthew 7:24 “Building Upon The Solid Rock That Is Jesus”

Matthew 7:24 “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.”

By the above verse, Jesus ended His sermon on the Mount. Jesus had gone up on the side of a mountain and there, He had taught many people who had gathered around Him. After all His teachings, Jesus challenged them to not just hear His words but to apply them or put them into practice. When they did that, they would be would be like a wise man who had built his house on a solid rock. In the Bible, the word “rock” is often an image of God or Jesus Christ. Here, those who built their houses on the solid foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ will not be destroyed or swept away when the storms of daily living threaten them. This was how Jesus ended His sermon on the Mount with the parable of a house built on rock vs a house built on sand in Matt.7:24-27.

We know two men who chose different directions in their lives. Both were successful in their respective careers. One chose to devote his time to build his career and to make money. His invested his earnings in multiple properties. He was not wasteful with his money. When he retired, he was invited to serve on the Board of a number of large companies. The rest of his time, he made sure he travelled frequently. He had a long list of places he wanted to visit while he was still fit and able. He mostly travelled alone since his wife was no longer keen to travel in her old age. To any outsider, this man chose to live his life to the maximum because that is what the world promotes – fame, status, money, position etc. 

On the other hand, the other man we know was successful and he too accumulated great wealth. But he chose to use his money to serve the Lord. He was generous in supporting those in need. He would often help people quietly without the need for fanfare. He devoted his free time to serving the Lord, investing his time to impact the lives of many people whose paths crossed with his. He was like a wise man who chose to build his house on solid rock – the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wanted his life to make an impact that is of eternal value.

This man’s life stands in contrast with the life of the first example. The other man chose to live his life for himself. He planned to live all his assets to his children. He had planned to live his life along worldly thinking – he was like a man who chose to build his house on sand. In reality, his life amounts to something that is temporary – it has no eternal value.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to apply your Word in our lives and to build our lives upon the solid foundation that is You and Your Word. We humbly pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. What consumes most of your time each week? Is it to meet your personal needs and agenda, or is it to meet the purposes of the Lord and His agenda for you? 
2. Why is it important for us to build our lives on the solid foundation of the Lord? Discuss.
3. What changes can you make to redirect your focus so that you can spend more time of things that have eternal value? Share.