Building On A Firm Foundation

Matthew 7:24-25 – 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 the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:10 – By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. (NIV)

Recently, while on my daily walk, I passed by a new housing development in the rocky terrain of Muskoka. I took the time to observe a workman who was putting the cribbing in place to pour a foundation for a new structure. He was meticulously clearing all of the dirt from the rock with a broom. I reasoned that the purpose for cleaning the rock was to ensure that the base was clear of substances that would prevent the concrete from bonding to the rock. His task as workman on the job was to take the proper steps so that the foundation would be properly laid for the structure that would rise from that foundation.

Watching the workman at his trade brought to mind today's Scripture passages, the one from Matthew, about the wise and foolish builders, and the other from 1 Corinthians, about being careful how we build. It occurred to me that the workman as an expert builder was a wise tradesman laying a foundation upon which someone else — a carpenter — would build a building.

The simple act of watching the workman go about his trade spoke to me. The thought emerged in my mind, as though written on a slate for me to read, that, as I live my life each day, I must be sure of the foundation on which I build my faith. I walked on from that encounter knowing that I must be careful of how and what I build on that firm foundation. Faith built on a solid foundation will stand up to those things that beat against us in daily life.

Prayer: O heavenly Father, Lord of light and love, You have shown the faithful how to build and grow. Teach us, O Lord, to build on a firm foundation that will not crash when the winds of life beat upon us. By Your abundant grace, may we have the wisdom and the understanding to build carefully and wisely each day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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