“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
Once there were two men who needed a house for their family. They both decided to use the same blueprint, the same floor plan. They also had chosen to use the same materials to build these houses. They were going to be identical.
The one man chose a piece of land that had a mass of rock on it. He decided that this would be a good place to build his house, for the building materials he had were of good quality, and the foundation would be firm and able to withstand any storm that would come against it.
The other man chose a piece of land closer to the shore; the ground there was soft and sandy. But he knew that the building materials he had chosen were the same as the other man and therefore, should be able to withstand any storm that would come against it as well.
So, the two men built their houses, one on the rock and one on the sand. They were fine houses, built with good strong cypress wood, solid secure roofs that would keep the rains from seeping through, double paned windows to keep out the cold wind. They were pleased with what they had built and so they moved their families into their new homes.
Then…a storm came. The winds blew, the rains fell, the floods rose! It was a massive storm, but the men weren’t concerned because their houses were built so well. The man who built his house on the rock gathered his family around the table and they gave thanks for the house that was protecting them from this massive storm.
But the man who built his house on the sand could feel his house shifting. Oh, the walls were solid and the roof wasn’t leaking…but there was definitely a change in the feel of the house. The walls were creaking and the roof began to break. Suddenly, the ground slid from beneath the house and it fell to the ground in a giant heap. The man was confused because he had built his house exactly as the other man, with the exact specifications and materials. But his house had collapsed into a heap; while the man’s, who had built his house on the rock, was standing solid and firm.
The story is familiar to you, I’m sure. Most of us know the story of the wise man and the foolish man, both of whom built houses (Matthew 7:24-27).
This story came to mind last Friday during our prayer band. I had worship songs playing in the back ground as we prayed, and when we had finished praying, we joined into worship with the song that was playing:
I will build my life upon this rock
It is a firm foundation
I will put my Trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken.*
For some reason, as we were singing, the story of the Three Little Pigs came to my mind. God often speaks to me through music, but this struck me as a little odd. Really, God? The Three Little Pigs?
When my oldest son was about two years old, this was his favorite story. We had a little board book and he wanted us to read it every night at bedtime. We read it so often that not only had my husband and I memorized it, but Matthew had as well.
Let’s refresh our memories.
Three little pigs were sent out into the world by their mother. It was time for them to go out on their own. So, they left their childhood home and headed out to build their own houses. They all found some good solid ground on which to build their houses, and they all agreed on the same blueprints and decided to build identical houses…but they didn’t use the same materials.
The first little pig was a bit lazy you see, and wanted his house to be up in a hurry so he could sit back and relax. So, he found some straw and hay and threw up a house in an afternoon.
The second little pig, while not quite as lazy as the first, also wanted to get his house built quickly. So, with the same blueprint in hand, he began to build his own house. But he didn’t choose quality materials either. He decided to gather some sticks and tie them together to build his house. It took a couple of days, but soon he was sitting inside with his feet up, relaxing with a good book.
The third little pig, however, was very industrious. He took his time gather bricks and mortar, high quality materials, and built an identical house as the others. But his house with had double paned windows, brick walls, and a beautiful fireplace made from stone. And though it took much longer, he finally finished his house made of brick. He went into his house, put up his feet and enjoyed the comfort of his home.
Well, we all know that there is a big bad wolf who is hungry for pork. He finds the first little pig sitting in his house made of straw and with one little puff, blows it down…no effort at all.
That little pig runs to his brother’s house who had built his house of sticks; but the wolf follows. It may have taken two puffs, but this house is no trouble to blow down either.
Now, these two run to the final pig’s house who lets them in shutting and locking the door behind them. When the wolf comes along and threatens to blow this house down…well, this house…this house was not only built on a firm foundation, but built with materials strong enough to withstand the enemy attack. This house stood firm. This house saved these little pigs from certain death and destruction.
Do you see it yet?
Jesus, our solid rock, gives us a firm foundation on which to build. But we need more than just a strong foundation. Because there really is a “big bad wolf” out their ready to devour us at the first chance he gets. And we need to know how to stand against him and defeat him.
Paul told the Ephesians that we are to stand firm against the strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6). And then he told us what we need in order to do so.
• A belt of Truth – God’s Truth, not ours.
• A breastplate of righteousness – His righteousness, not ours.
• Feed shod with the gospel of peace – His peace, not peace the world gives.
• A shield of faith – Faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, not faith in ourselves.
• A helmet of salvation – Salvation received only through the blood of Jesus.
• A sword…the Word of God – The right word at the right moment to stop the enemy in his tracks.
• Prayer – constant communication with the Father.
Do you see it yet?
The firm foundation does no good if we don’t build on it. It requires more than just a belief in God to withstand the enemy.
The firm foundation does no good if we just go to church. We can play the part of a Christian, but not have the foundation to withstand the enemy when the storms come.
But that firm foundation, that solid Rock foundation, built with a deep devotion to God, a personal relationship with Jesus, the guidance of Holy Spirit AND the armor of God…that can withstand any storm, any difficulties, anything the enemy throws at us. Not only can we stand strong and safe in His shelter, we can draw others in and shelter them as well.
What’s your foundation?
What are your building materials?
Do you see it now?
‘Lena Ehlert
c.2022
Build My Life
Pat Barrett, 2018
