Devotion #4: Build Your House on the Rock
What does it mean to have security? For some, a solid bank account comes to mind, as well as having the funds to meet any emergency that may arise. For others, it is to be so confident in their abilities that they know they can master any obstacle that life throws at them. For the true Christian, it is to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that no matter what problems arise in this life, their eternal resting place is certain, and they can weather any storm because they have built their life on the firm foundation. Today’s passage discusses this exact idea of security as Jesus winds down His Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 7:24-27 states, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 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. 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. 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.” As Jesus finished His sermon, after having discussed the difficulty of finding salvation and how few will ever find it, He ended with a final warning. He says that to hear the Word of God and to live a life of disobedience will result in a fall. Jesus is talking specifically to hearers of the Word; this is not directed at those who do not know the name of Jesus and have never heard of the Good News found at the cross. Jesus’ warning here is to those who, as we saw in verses 21 through 23, call Him Lord, practice mighty works in the name of the Lord, yet know Him not.
Earlier in this passage, in verse 14, Jesus says, “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few.” These texts are clear; there will be people who build their lives on the belief that they are saved when they are not. In our passage for today, Jesus is admonishing believers to build their lives on the rock that is His Word. To be a believer, to be part of His flock, and to be covered in the blood of Jesus is to live a life of obedience to His Word. There are many who believe in God, have said a prayer, and believe that their works will save them on the day of judgment. They then build their house on the shifting sand of self-will, self-fulfillment, and self-righteousness. On the outside, their house may appear the same, but when the storm comes, everything that they have built will fall away into nothing.
Jesus tells us that the way that we can have security in our salvation is in our obedience to His Word. What is your foundation? If it is belief alone, then you are missing it. To be God’s child is to be a hearer and a doer of His Word. Your fruit is the sure sign of your desire to follow Christ fully. In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus says that in order to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. We have to be willing to give up our lives and build our lives on Him alone, on His Word alone.
Ask yourself today if you have security. Many who think they are the Lord’s have built their life on the foundation of sand. Christ invites you to build your foundation on the rock of His Word if you are willing to lose your life for His sake.