David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 7:24-27

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Most people make sand castles to pass the time, and perhaps to see the waves wash away their creation. How long will it take? Will it be just one large wave? Will a small mound of sand remain after the rest is gone? It’s a nice distraction; a way to have some fun at the beach.

Too often, however, we may be doing the same thing with Jesus’ words: building sand castles – lives that will not stand the test of time. Surely these tests will come. We know that – even if we try to ignore it. Surely the winds and waves will crash down on our lives: Jesus says as much here, “The rain fell…”, not “The rain might fall…”

Perhaps we should be more mindful of our need to build strong fortresses against the onslaughts of Satan and the world. Whether it is economic trial, political subterfuge, earthquake, or attacks of the ungodly: trials, torrents, and storms will surely come into our lives.

Listening to Jesus’ words is certainly important. Putting them into practice, however, marks us as people whose lives will stand in the face of trial and storm. Putting them into practice has to do with a life that is filled with repentance and faith – day after day. It has to do with loving God and neighbor, and believing in Jesus who is the embodiment of God’s love for us all. A life built on those truths is a life whose foundation is solid. A household built on that foundation will stand.

Do you have a household built on such a solid foundation?