Just a Thought: The security of everything is determined by its foundation. I recall as a teenager the summer my parents purchased a new house. When I saw it, I thought, “Boy this doesn’t look like much.” But my dad was a great wood worker and crafts man. Sadly, I didn’t get any of his skill or talent. My dad worked a full-time job during the day and spent his nights transforming this house. One of the jobs we encountered was rebuilding a front room that was a porch. To do this we had to have a popular tree removed from the front yard. I don’t know exactly how old this tree was, but I know it was huge! After the tree was professionally removed, the stump had to dug out and the roots cut through because the room was going to extend over a part of where that tree had been. We lived in New York which means any structure has to have (I think I recall) a six foot foundation. This meant my dad and I had to spend the majority of that summer digging out that foundation and cutting through massive roots. When we were finished and the foundation was laid, I had a whole new appreciation for what a foundation is and what it does for a structure. I think about that project every time I read this passage. For some background. Jesus has finished teaching and He wraps it up by telling the people they are responsible for what they hear and what they do with it. You may have heard the expression, “knowledge is power.” But there is another side to that statement that goes like this, “With knowledge comes responsibility.” Jesus said to the people, you now have the knowledge, it is up to you to build on the foundation I have given you. Listen to what He said. “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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matt 7:24-25) Jesus gave another option to those who chose to hear His word and build on something else instead. Their foundation would be like shifting sand that would not hold up. The house remodel my dad was doing was going to be able to stand firm and be a shelter and home for our family. The foundation Jesus lays for us through His word is a firm foundation where we can find shelter, safety and security from all that this life throws at us. We have the knowledge which means we have the power to build on it. And, because we have the knowledge, we also have the responsibility to choose whether to build on Jesus’ truth or on something else. But we must remember, the security of everything is determined by its foundation. What are you building your life’s hopes, goals and dreams upon? Will you choose the solid rock of Jesus truth? Or will you choose to risk it all on shifting sand? After one long hot and hard labor filled summer. I can tell you foundations matter! Choose wisely my friend and put your trust in the security of the foundation of Jesus word!
