A FIRM FOUNDATION TO STAND ON

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Proverbs 10:25, 12:7, 14:11, 21:12

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

NOTE: From Proverbs, Chapter 10 through Chapter 22:16, Solomon writes a series of individual proverbs for us to consider. I will try and group similar proverbs in my devotions as I cover what Solomon wrote over these chapters.

NOTE 2: My oldest daughter Stephanie has premiered her own blog titled, “Live By Philippians 4:13”. Her first post is “Lighting the Way” and I invite you to check it out and leave her encouragement as she answers the call of the Lord on her heart and follows in Dad’s footsteps which is indescribably exciting for me. Here’s the link: http://livebyphillipians413.blogspot.com/

 I’ve often said, “The only thing certain about life is that it’s uncertain.”

Indeed, life does leave us guessing, doesn’t it? We can have our best laid plans, feel like we have things figured out in life, only to see things change in a moment’s notice, at the blink of an eye.

So what’s to be done in this ever changing existence? How do we possibly handle the flux we always seem to find life bringing our way?

The answer lies in standing upon a firm foundation, a foundation that gives us a consistent solid footing no matter what our circumstances might be. Whether immersed in good times or bad, we can handle all things because we’re never off balance and nor can we be shaken.

So where can we find such a foundation?

Look at these words from the Gospel of Luke as Jesus seeks to teach His disciples through a parable:

“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:47-49

Jesus explains that there are only two places one can stand in dealing with life’s circumstances.

In one instance, a person dug deep and established a foundation for their house on rock. This paid off when a great torrent struck. The home could not be shaken because it was built right.

Conversely, another person built their home on the ground and without a foundation. When that same torrent hit, this home could not withstand it and it was completely destroyed.

Of course, Jesus really wasn’t talking about building a home on the right foundation. Rather, He was talking about the importance of grounding our lives on solid rock when it comes to dealing with the torrents that life will bring our way. The chorus from an old hymn came rushing into my mind in regard to this:

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Yes, Jesus is the only firm foundation we can truly build upon and expect to handle whatever life has to offer. We do so through His strength within us, not our own (Philippians 4:13). He is the Solid Rock, the Rock of ages, the One who protects and delivers us through anything and everything life brings in accordance with His will. The following proverbs reinforce this truth:

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. Proverbs 10:25

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. Proverbs 12:7

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. Proverbs 14:11

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Proverbs 21:12

If you build your life foundation on Jesus and opt for righteousness, you can expect to:

1. Stand firm forever.

The righteous stand firm forever.

The house of the righteous stands firm.

2. Flourish in the Lord’s blessings.

The tent of the upright will flourish.

Decide to build your life outside of the Lord and His righteousness and you can expect to:

1. Be annihilated in the storms of life.

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone.

2. Be overthrown by the Lord and His powerful judgment.

The wicked are overthrown and are no more.

3. Destruction and ruin at the hands of the Lord’s judgment.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed.

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Or if you prefer another interpretation, look at this one from the Good News Translation:

God, the righteous one, knows what goes on in the homes of the wicked, and He will bring the wicked down to ruin. Proverbs 21:12 Good News Translation

I don’t know where you are in life today. I’m not sure of what your circumstances are. I am unaware of the struggles and issues you are going through.

But one thing I am absolutely sure of. When you build your life’s foundation on Jesus Christ, you will be able to weather any storm that life brings your way until that day when you will no longer need to deal with them anymore.

Thanks be to God for giving us a firm foundation to stand on in Jesus. I pray you’re on His solid footing today.

Amen. 

In Christ,

Mark

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