Jesus had just finished speaking to a group of people as He sat on the side of a mountain. In His sermon, He had given His blessing to those who were mourning, to those who were being peacemakers, to those who were poor in spirit. He admonished the crowd to check their hearts to be sure their anger wasn’t taking them down a path of destruction. He encouraged them all, letting them know that they were the salt and the light, created to be a blessing to those around them. He counseled the crowd not only to love their enemies, but to pray for them. He spoke to them about prayer, about giving, and about seeking the Father and storing up treasure in heaven.
Perhaps you’re quite familiar with this “Sermon on the Mount” as we often call it. You can find it in Matthew 5-7.
What strikes me most about these words of Jesus is how He ends His speech: “Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
I pause to emphasize that He does not say “a rock” but “the rock.” THE rock. Shall we continue?
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall…” Why?? “…because it had its foundation on the rock.” Jesus, of course, goes on to say that the foolish fella who does not listen to Him and put His words into practice is like one who built his house on the sand. The rain came, the streams rose, and the winds blew, and the house fell to the ground with a crash.
What do the wise man and the foolish man have in common? They both experienced the rain and the wind that beat against their house. Jesus does not tell us that if we listen to Him, obey Him, and “build our house on the rock” that we will not be hit by a storm. He tells us that if we plant ourselves firmly on the Rock, then our house will continue to stand strong through each storm.
Instead of being discouraged, I am comforted by the fact that Jesus says “when” not “if” in regard to life’s storms. Why should I be naïve or in denial about the fact that there’s always going to be something going on in life that is (from our perspective) less than ideal? We aren’t in heaven yet, after all. Sometimes the storm may be mild, coming in the form of a few sprinkles that spit against the windows and make them smudgy. Sometimes the storm rages, appearing as a hurricane that seems to have no ending. It’s not fun. It hurts. It’s hard.
So we obey Jesus’ teaching, look up toward the Father who promises to hold us fast, and build our house on the Rock. When the rain and wind come, we stand firm. And we look forward with hope toward the promise God gave us. We’re not gonna fall. Our Foundation is mighty!
Now your turn. Share what you’re thankful for! Leave a comment on this post letting us know how God is working in your life. If you’ve written a blog post about what you’re thankful for, leave the link in the comments so we can visit your blog to read about it. We love sharing and reading about God’s blessings!
Janelle @ The Smudge Curve says
Thank you for this reminder! I just returned home from a women’s Bible study, and this post is rather timely.
This week I am looking for things to be thankful for while taking care of a toddler with Croup.
http://www.thesmudgecurve.com/2014/01/when-youre-taking-care-of-sick-kids.html
Tehila says
I am thankful for resources such as Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home to help me in this blogging journey, and that the Lord uses to show me I can do it and am not alone in it!
GIVEAWAY and Review: Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home
http://www.womenabiding.com/giveaway-growing-your-blog-while-managing-your-home-the-ultimate-guide-for-christian-mommy-bloggers/
Kath says
I am thankful to God for my wonderful husband :-)
http://shesclassic.blogspot.com/2014/01/i-am-thankful-for-him.html
Blessings :-)
Iruka says
I am tankful 2 GOD 4 making me, my families,neibors,friends & well wishers 2 be among d living in d land of d living.Thank u faithful JESUS.I luv ur site.
Audra Devine says
Matthew 5 and 6 is my reading today! Not at all surprised that God tied your post today into that. : ) That’s how He works.
I am thankful for my church family and how we love and support one another through lifes storms.
Missy says
I just realized this morning that many of the blogs I subscribe to and read, and many of the Facebook posts I see are about taming the tongue and being wise about the words we use with our family. I don’t see that as a coincidence. I’m thankful that Jesus puts these things in my path during the day to remind me.
Barb says
I just LOVE how God works! He has been showing me that I should not rush Him and to build a foundation with Him. Great post and awesome reminder :)
http://www.theforeverneighbor.com/2014/01/overwhelmed-with-gratitude.html
Nicki @ Recipes For A Joyfilled Life says
So beautifully written! We all go thru trials but I am so thankful we serve an awesome, mighty God who never leaves us go thru them alone! Great post. :) I am thankful for hissy fits. And the gracious King who sees past them! My post: The Hissy Fit From West Virginia http://www.nickischroeder.com/2014/01/the-hissy-fit-from-west-virginia.html
ms.p says
Changing the way I look at life. Even though we are still going to the rough patch in life. Instead of looking at the negative I am looking at the postive. My relationship with god is stronger. My hubby is closer to my youngest daughter. My church family been very supportive. I have lot go some people go in my life. Since then my aniexty went down to were it don’t effect my daily life.
I haven’t turn to food for comfort.
NancyWilbur says
How timely! I experienced a disappointment recently, but you brought it into prospective! It really was just a raindrop, not a hurricane!
Thank you.
Alecia says
Love the point you made that we all experience rain (trials, hard times). Just depends what we’ve built our lives on how well we weather them.
I’ve recently written about how much better we treat strangers over at: http://marriagelifeministries.org/?p=1894
Debra Lynch says
What a blessing to be reminded of the things we already know but don’t think of when the storms of life are raging. Thank you for sharing it really helped and blessed me today!
Jenny Smedley says
Great post! Hit home.
Olivia says
I love my kids and am so thankful for them. Reading God’s word is easy. But, you got it right, building that foundation is harder. I’ve been looking at Proverbs to see how I can live my life better for Him. http://morningcamequickly.com/2014/01/13/proverbs-33/
Sandra @ Sandra's Ark says
I am thankful this week that God is Love and I have experienced this.
http://sandrasark.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/why-we-worship-3.html
Sonia Parham says
I’m thankful for His forgiveness and His guidance and reminders that I am not alone.
Great post!
Jennifer says
Oh Laura thank you. Amen. Amen. Amen. I read the sermon on the mount yesterday and god shared those same
Thoughts with me! I am going through a storm- a mighty wind, and I feel shaken. But I cannot fall when I keep my eyes on Jesus. Thank you for gospel ing our hearts.
Bless you
Marsha says
I am thankful for answered prayers!!! I just learned that my best friends uncle was able to be taken off life support and is starting to recover from a very large aneurism that he suffered on Saturday. My dear friend thought she would be attending a funeral today, on her birthday, but instead we can be thankful for his strength & answered prayers. Also thankful for the skill that God gave to his surgeon. He still has a long road of recovery and another surgery ahead but with faith & prayer his future is bright!!!
Kayla says
I’m thankful that the LORD reminds me how important it is to spend time *remembering* His faithfulness. It’s so easy to get caught up in the here-and-now or the someday-soon.
http://1chron291113.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/a-new-way-to-restore-the-years/
Melinda says
OMGoodness. That spoke to the core of my heart! I love Jesus!
Jill Roper says
I’m late in coming but for Gratituesday I honor my brother.
Sharon says
I am thankful that no matter what physical problems I and my fami l y have, that I can always turn to God to keep me strong. It’s good to know that we have Jesus example for how we should lead our lives.
Gail Golden says
I’m late, too, but today I’m grateful for G-d’s wisdom and “wise words”: http://gailgolden.blogspot.com/2014/01/wisdom-wednesday-9-words.html