Matthew 7:24-27 24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. 25 And 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. 26 And 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. 27 And 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.
Have you ever tried to build something that has very specific instructions, or watched a construction crews as they built a building? It was amazing how you have to constantly consult the blueprints. Our lives are no different. Almighty God has given us the blueprint—His Word—telling us how to build a family, a home, and a life. We need to concentrate on the blueprint.
Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” Simply put, you must cooperate fully with God if you want your family to prosper.
That is what Jesus is explaining in Matthew 7. He contrasts the wise man who hears and acts on God’s Word and builds on the rock, with the fool who hears but does not act on God’s Word and builds on the sand. Both people encounter storms. However, only one house had a chance. Can you guess which one? The one that required more effort and more time—the one built on the rock!
Without exception, every family encounters storms. Financial crises, health issues, and the death of a child or loved one are just a few of the storms that families face. I don’t know which heartache is headed for your home, but a storm is certain to come. Is your house built on sand, vulnerable to total collapse? Just imagine the regret and shame, the pain and devastation! But if your house is built on the rock, it will stand firm and endure.
Don’t miss the important truth that both builders in Matthew 7 heard God’s Word. That ought to dispense with the notion that the people building on the sand are relaxing in bed rather than worshiping God in church on Sunday mornings. Not so! They are hearing God’s truth regularly, but they are doing nothing about it. Does this describe you? Don’t wait for the storms of life to force you to your knees. Let God’s Word change your course of action right now, and in humility acknowledge that you need to start doing what you’re hearing.
