“Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
'Cause He's never let me down
He's faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won't
… No, He won't, no, He won't
No, He won't
He won't, He won't, He won't, He won't”
As I sang those words in church yesterday morning, I lifted my hands in praise as I fought back tears. While the band continued, my mind thought back on some of the trials of the last three weeks. My husband had a full knee replacement, my mother (who lives with us) had another heart attack, work was busier than usual with two separate weekend events that required long hours and lots of manual labor, and I was doing my best to hold it all together while still tending to my normal responsibilities, routine and activities.
To top it off, my SI joint went out Thursday afternoon and Friday’s trip to the chiropractor offered only temporary respite. To say I was relieved to wrap up the last event that began with a Friday night 5k and ended with a 10k and half marathon Saturday would be an understatement (although it was a glorious event!). By the time I got to church, I was tired, I was worn out, I was itching (apparently I had gotten poison ivy while marking the course and getting into the weeds on Thursday), and I was still in a lot of hip and back pain…. But I was so thankful that I had chosen to trust Jesus and press on. He had gotten me through… again. And I knew He would continue. What needed to be done, got done! Because it was by His strength and not by mine!! Can I get a “hallelujah?!!” God is so good!
“Rain came, wind blew
But my house was built on You
I'm safe with You
I'm gonna make it through (I feel somebody's faith rising)
Rain came, wind blew
But my house was built on You (this is the reason you made it, 'cause)
I'm safe with You
I'm gonna make it through (one more time, oh, rain came)
Rain came, wind blew
My house was built on You (this is the reason I'm standing)
I'm safe with You
I'm gonna make it through (I'm gonna make it)
Yeah, I'm gonna make it through ('cause I'm standing)
'Cause I'm standing strong on You (I'm gonna make it)
Yeah, I'm gonna make it through (my house is built on)
'Cause my house is built on You (one more time, y'all, sing)”
“Oh Lord,” I thought to myself as I continued to praise and sing. “I love you so much. Thank You for being my firm foundation. The rains came as they always do, especially when I’m serving You. The winds blew… hard. But my house was built on You, and so weathered and withstood the storm... Again. You have never failed me and I know You never will.”
"For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:14
And, you know, regardless of what some 'teachers' say, faith in Jesus does NOT always result in prosperity, ease, and freedom from disease, pain, hardship, or harm. This is not only a false teaching but a blatant lie. Jesus Himself warned His followers that the path to life was a hard and difficult one entered only through a narrow gate. In fact, Jesus later described the difficulty that would face every human life, using the picture of a great storm, assuring all that the rain will fall, the floods will rise, and the wind will blow with a vengeance.
Furthermore, Christ never promised that there would be no storms. What He did promise though, by using the analogy of building a house. is that those who trust in Him will survive those storms. This "house" is a person's spiritual strength, their beliefs, and the life they construct as a result of choosing to fully follow Jesus. Those who live by His teaching will be like a man who has built a house on a foundation of rock. Although the storms beat on the house, the house will survive it all because the foundation is sound. The house (that’s us) may look a little worse for the wear afterwards and might even require a few repairs or some repainting, but it will stand firm.
“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.’” Matthew 7:24-27
On the flip side, the same storms of life that beat up believers will come against those who do NOT trust in Christ and follow His teaching as well. But, because they have chosen (and it’s a choice—failure to choose is also choosing) to ignore the words of Christ, they are “like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” When the rains fall (not if) and the floods come—in the form of trials, hardships, and uncertainties—they have no foundation or strength to withstand the beating and will fall to the ground.
Trust me, I’ve seen it happen. Without a Savior and the promises of God to cling to when life gets hard, people can hang on for a while but will eventually fall apart and their marriages and relationships will fail. Many try clinging to false idols (money, drugs, works, belief systems, false religions, etc.) to weather the storm, but this proves to be insanity in the end, as these man-made gods have no power to save only to numb.
So, if you have not placed your trust in Jesus, do it today my friend. It will be the best decision you will ever make. I made the decision decades ago, and have had some amazing mountaintop expenses since then. But I’ve also walked through many valleys and encountered countless storms, floods and hurricane force winds. But God, who is my firm foundation held me fast until every one of them passed... every time, without exception. And He can do the same for you.
Won’t you choose to trust Him today?
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that without building our lives on You, the only solid foundation, we will have no strength to withstand life’s storms and will fall. Lord, as we see this world get shakier and shakier, help us to not only lean on You but to inspire others to do the same. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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