Scripture: St. Matthew 7:24-29 (NKJV)
24 “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: 25 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. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings
of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house
on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and
beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” 28 And so it was,
when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His
teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Devotion
Following Christ’s doctrine makes one wise for this life and for the life of
the world to come. Believing the Gospel and then living according to His Word
(by the power of the Holy Ghost) is how we build our house on the established,
unmoving rock of Christ, the Word of God Incarnate. This is how we hallow God’s
Name, namely that “the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as
the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it” (Small
Catechism). Living according to Christ’s teachings are the best way to live
with our neighbors in our vocations, because it is a life lived in line with
the will of God. This godliness has benefits in this life and the next.
On the other hand, if we ignore Christ’s teachings, then we are building our
houses on treacherous sand which will sift underneath us during adversity. Sand
is any foundation for life other than Christ. This includes the ways of the
world, the spirit of our age, popular opinion and convention, and our own
sinful desires. This house will not stand.
Christ says that rains will descend, floods will come, and winds will blow and
beat on both houses. The rains, floods, and winds are the trials and
adversities of life. Those who build their house on the sure foundation of
Christ will not be spared trial and suffering. But they will endure it and
overcome it, gaining the victory over it by faith in Christ, Who is their
foundation and their rock, Who promises to be with them in adversity and work
all things for good.
The Lutheran Herald is a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of
North America. These daily devotions are authored by the bishop, pastors, and
deacons of the diocese. Daily posts are provided by The Reverend Jeffrey A.
Ahonen.
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