A FIRM FOUNDATION OF LIFE
"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever" (Prv 10:25)
Isaiah speaks of God
as an "everlasting rock." He is the rock of refuge and deliverance
and the "rock, in whom there is no wrong" (Ps 92:15). Scripture warns
us today that if we place our security in something other than God and His Kingdom,
we will have to endure trials that will surely come. Jesus' parables invite us
to stake our lives on the coming of His Kingdom or face consequences of being
unprepared on the day of His Second Coming.
When Jesus tells the
story of the builders, He most likely has the following Proverb in mind:
"When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand
firm forever" (Prv 10:25). What's the significance of this story for us?
The kind of foundation we build our lives upon will determine whether we can survive
the storms that are sure to come. Builders usually lay their foundations when
the weather and soil conditions are at their best. It takes foresight to know
how a foundation will stand up against adverse conditions. Building a house on
a flood plain, such as a dry riverbed, is a sure bet for disaster.
Jesus prefaced his
story with a warning, calling us to realize that we might be able to fool each
other with our speech, but God cannot be deceived. He sees the heart as it
truly is - with its motives, intentions, desires and choices (cf Ps 139). There
is only one way in which a person's sincerity can be proved, and that is by
one's practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is
revealed in the choices we make, especially when we are tested. Now, we could
cheat on an exam or on our taxes, especially when it will cost us. Do we lie or
cover-up when we know that disclosing the truth will cause us injury or
embarrassment? Being true is honest and
reliable before God, one's neighbor and oneself. If our words can be counted
on, then we will have a firm foundation in life!
During this time of
Advent we need to think about how we treat others. We have to get serious about
putting our faith and love into practice. We must devote more time to praying
that God will help us to follow His will in our dealing with each other,
listening to His words, living them and putting them into action. May Christmas
be with us each and every day of our lives!
One of the great
marvels of Christmas is that the Eternal Son of God did not deem divinity
something to cling to, but humbled Himself to come among us as a man. He chose
to be as dependent on His Father in His humanity as we should be in ours. That
act of humility is the model for all of us. If we heed God's word and live
according to it then we need not fear when storms assail us. God will be our
Rock and our Refuge! Are our lives built upon the sure "Rock" who is
Jesus Christ, and do we listen to His word as if our lives depended upon it?