Living 4 Him

“He alone is my rock and my salvation.  He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.”  Psalm 62:2

Standing at the edge of the ocean is one of my favorite places.  The sight of waves pushing themselves forward.  The ripples of water pulsating beauty.  However, I much prefer gazing at the ocean from the drier sand, just beyond the reach of the water.  If I stand close to the water those same awe-inspiring waves wash the sand from under my feet and leave me feeling unsettled, unbalanced, unable to fully enjoy my ocean experience. 

The metaphor Jesus uses to conclude his Sermon on the Mount illustrates this feeling of being unsettled, unbalanced, and unable to fully enjoy life.

“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 7:24-27

Jesus wanted every listener to know that his teaching is solid, something to build our faith upon.  His teaching is true and will never let us down.  To ignore his teaching or not put it into practice leaves us on very shaky, unstable, uncertain ground.  We fully experience the best of this life standing firm on the rock of God’s truth.

When I hear Jesus describe the water and wind of the storms  it sounds much like life; unpredictable, uncontrollable, but the house stands untouched, safe on the rock.  We have nothing to fear.  Our faith in Jesus and his words, place us above fear, solid in the arms of God.

Each theme of Jesus’ teaching upon the mountain gives us a footprint to not only follow, but to stand upon firmly.

We are blessed in magnificent ways when we follow God’s path. (Matthew 5:3-12)

God has created us to bring meaning (flavor) and share light to this world.  (Matthew 5:13-16)

Love is God’s law and it is the law that he asks us to follow.  Those who love will receive the benefits of love.  Matthew (5:17-48)

Our relationship with God, cultivated in the secret space of our souls, is a safeguard and a strength to face this world.  We have prayer as a connection to God anyplace, at anytime.  (Matthew 6:1-18, Matthew 7:7-12)

God’s light leads us to exactly what we need, always caring for us, so we should seek God, his Kingdom and his righteousness above all. (Matthew 6:19-34)

God is holy and he has made us holy.  We never need to feel lost or alone.  God will find a way to make his holiness part of our lives.  (Matthew 7: 1-23)

Max Lucado sums up the power of God’s presence nicely with these words.

“You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of Heaven ahead of you.  If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, an anchor for every storm.”

When we trust in God, we face the storms of life armed with all that he is.  Faith will always win over fear and the rock will hold strong. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read Psalm 62 and find words or phrases that strengthen your faith in God the rock.

Reaching out (taking God’s word with you into the world):  Be aware of rocks that you see this week. Remember their qualities of strength, stability, and beauty.  Give thanks to God for being your rock.