Matthew 7:24-25

Sons;

As you may know, before I start my classes I always have a Bible verse that I read and then briefly discuss, and I thought to pass that on to you as well.  Today, one of the verses was Matthew 7:24-25 - “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” 

It's a verse we've all seen before, and I even remember singing a song about this and its companion verses, where some doofus builds his house on the sand and it all falls apart.  Christ's point is obvious - build a life on Him, and you'll be better off.  However, there is a far more subtle point that is worth mentioning.  Jesus is pointedly telling us something about the life we have in store for us, to wit: bad things will happen to you.  And that's a given, I think (though I would hasten to add that God never gives us more than we can handle).  It can be at any time, to any degree, it's different for everyone, it may have happened, it may be in the far future, but it is there, and hiding our heads in the sand won't do anything to get ready for it.

And that's Christ's larger point, I think - we have to get ready for it!  When the rains fall and floods come, it's too late to start building.  We have to start building on "the Rock" when times are easy, by reading the Bible, prayer, and by seeking to be righteous (where being righteous is defined: "doing the right thing, even when you don't want to").  That way, when bad times come, we have a life that is built correctly, and can handle whatever comes along.  It's good for you, and it will be good for those you will be responsible for, as well.  So, I would encourage you in that, just as I encourage myself in it as well.  As with most things in the Bible, we now know what to do - now, let's go out and do it!

Love,

Dad