Are You Ready for a Storm?
Matthew 7:24-27 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on 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.
Now that spring has arrived, we are solidly in severe weather season. That means the threat of thunderstorms, lightening, hail, strong winds, and even potential tornadoes are possible with every weather front that passes through. When the time arrives, and storm alerts sound, one of the first precautions that the authorities advise is to “Take Shelter Immediately”.
In our passage today, Jesus warns that the Storms of Life are coming. It is not a matter of IF but rather WHEN. These storms can take many forms: The death of a close family member, the loss of a job, problems within the family, personal illness, loneliness, depression….the list is virtually endless. Like a weather storm, when the Storms of Life hit, we will naturally head for shelter. Our life’s choices determine the soundness of the refuge that we have when we are in need. Jesus says that there are only two types:
1. The Shelter built upon a Rock
Jesus says that the Wise Man is able to ride out the storm with All hope of coming out of the danger unscathed. He is Wise because he knew of the impending danger and made preparations. Those preparations require sacrifices. So what is the Key?
The Wise Man Hears the Words of Jesus and Does them.
The youngest of children learn in Bible class about the “Wise man built his house upon the Rock”. But this is not a childish teaching. It is a principle that many people… even so-called followers miss. Jesus doesn’t teach us a different way of living from the rest of the world because he is an “evil puppet master” that gets his kicks from watching us dance. He teaches us to go the opposite direction from the rest of the world because it is a better way of life. He teaches us to behave completely different from the rest of the world because he knows that by doing so we will avoid many self-made storms. Jesus tells us to think differently than everyone else because when we are truly followers of, not only the concept of Jesus but also the actions, behaviors and lifestyles of Jesus, we will be helped, protected and strengthened by God himself. Then when the rains begin to fall, the flood waters rise, and the winds begin to storm through…We will have Refuge in Jesus Himself!
2. The Shelter built upon sand
Building one’s house on the sand is obviously ridiculous! If you have ever walked along a sandy beach near the water’s edge, you know the instability of sand in the presence of water. But Jesus says that living one’s life without following the teachings of Jesus is equally unstable. A house sitting directly on the sand will come crashing down.
How many people’s lives are one pail of water shy of crashing down because they have built their lives on the sandy lifestyles of drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, lying, cheating, and generally just living ungodly lives? How many have built their lives on the sandy lifestyle of beneficial things like a career, and then a storm comes and the job is gone and “Great Was the Fall” of their lives. How many people have built their lives around family and then storm comes out of nowhere then “Great Was the Fall” of their lives because their sandy foundation failed them?
Jesus is the only foundation that we can depend on. But to be able to put our faith in Jesus, we must hear his words and Do them. Only then will we be prepared for the Storms of Life.
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
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