DEEPER STILL: Week Forty-Two

Build on the Solid Rock

Matthew 7:24-25 -22

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.'”

Reflections

Jesus tells the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders. One man built his house on the rock; when the storms came, it stood firm. The other built on sand; when the storms struck, his house collapsed (Matt. 7:24–27). In the same way, the path to restoration is rarely easy, and unless our lives are founded on God, we will crumble when trials come.

When God seems silent and our prayers go unanswered, are we grounded in Scripture to silence the lies of the enemy? God calls us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). And remember, God rejoices over us with gladness (Zeph. 3:17). Job endured unimaginable suffering yet clung to faith in God. David cried out, begging God not to forget him (Ps. 13). Their struggles remind us that we are not alone. Hold fast to this truth.

When false accusations are spoken and others fail to show grace, are we anchored in God’s Word to stand firm? Remember, we can be assured that truth endures forever, but lies are temporary (Prov. 12:19). God will judge all deeds (Ecc. 12:14, Rom. 14:3). Recall Joseph’s story, where Potiphar’s wife’s false accusations landed Joseph in prison (Gen. 39:11-19), but God had a plan through it all. Stay rooted in truth.

When restoration takes unexpected turns and despair threatens to overtake us, are we grounded in Scripture, knowing God’s plans are good? God promised the Israelites living in Babylonian exile that He had a plan for them and that plan was for their good, not to harm them (Jer. 29:11). That same God is for us as well. We can trust His good plan because the testimony of His goodness is all throughout Scripture. He gave David courage (I Sam. 17:11-45). Saul and the Israelites were afraid (v. 11), but David faced Goliath boldly in the Lord’s name (I Sam. 17:45). Let truth steady our hearts when the future seems uncertain.

When exhaustion sets in and the next step feels impossible, are we trusting God to sustain us? Scripture invites us to cast all of our burdens on the Lord, who sustains us (Ps. 55:22). God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19). Elijah was fed by the hand of God when the flour and oil did not run out (1 Kings 17:15-16). Hold fast to the truth of God’s sustaining power, and remember, Scripture exhorts us to arm ourselves so we can stand against the evil of the world (Eph. 6:11). Satan is likened to a roaring lion looking to devour us (1 Pet. 5:8). We are fighting spiritual warfare– we must build our foundation on the rock of God’s Word so we are prepared and sustained when trials come.

Are you seeking truth in Scripture daily? Are you storing God’s Word in your heart, hungering to learn more, so you are prepared for the battles ahead?

Prayer

Lord, impress upon my heart a deep desire to know Your Word, that I may stand firm and face the challenges to come on the path to restoration.